Chapter 54. Work Is a Game—And One Worth Playing Well

Sports analogies are used every day in organizations. We may not be baseball stars, but we still “go to bat” for people when we show support, “step up to the plate” when accepting responsibility, and “strike out” when we fail to do something. American football comes into play when our boss “runs interference” for us, or when we take out the opposition.

Note

Like many a team activity, work is a game with rules of its own.

Besides the slang, there are more fundamental commonalities between organizational and sporting life. Like many a team activity, work is a game with rules of its own. Don’t let the term “game” deceive you, however; work is not about play. It is a defined terrain within which recognized ...

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