As we enter into this time of end-of-year, end-of-season pressures, it’s critical to remember – there is a difference between Gamesmanship and Sportsmanship.
Gamesmanship is where the rules are bent – if you’re not caught, it can feel like you are not actually breaking the rules.
Sportsmanship is doing this right thing because it’s the right thing…knowing the game will be won on the merits of the players.
One of the biggest differences between the two is what we choose to model to those who look up to us. Is it all right to bend the rules to win if we plan to explain it (or ignore it) later? Or is important to always model honesty and integrity? Always.
It’s a tough question in sports and in business. It’s the difference between being like John Wooden and Bill Belichick. Or if you are in business, between being IBM or being Enron.
I guess a key question remains: who do you want to be in this world?
Smith Leadership 