Let’s face it, using sports references is still extremely commonplace in business, despite a major shift in the gender balance within organizations, and attempts to be politically correct. I use them, you use them, and in most cases we have forgotten their root-meanings.
The adoption of sports phraseology is driven primarily by two factors:
- The competitive nature of both categories—sports and business
- The expectation that those in business share the common experiences of sports.
Both factors are outdated (and sexist), but the terminology remains. I may have not “covered all of the bases” here, but think it’s a “clean start” and should get us “to the finish line.”
Here are THE FIVE’s take on the most commonly used sports references in business:
- Hit a home run
- Carry the ball
- Slam dunk
- Always on the ball
- Game plan
- Run with it
- Play hardball
- Call the shots
- Team player
- Sprint to the finish
- 11.Hit one out of the park
- This is a marathon
- Leveling the playing field
- Keeping your eye on the ball
- Send in the heavy hitters
- Take one for the team
- This is still the first quarter
- There is still a lot of time to go on the clock
- Fumbled
- Hat trick
- They're dancing in the end zone
- Step up to the plate
- The ball really lies in somebody else’s court
- Draft new employees
- Don't shoot and miss.
