Please understand that I am a “Football Mom” (it even says such on a sweatshirt I wear!) which simply means that I’m the mother of a 6’ 4”, 280# football player who is very passionate about the game, but I’m “football challenged”. That means that didn’t grow up in a football family and our small school never had a football program, therefore I have a less-than-average understanding of the game (that is prior to my son’s interest) and what all the hype is about. As a true-blue mom who is interested in just about anything within reason that her children are interested in, I gave it my best at learning what the hype is all about. I can honestly say that after 6 years of faithfully attending junior high and high school games, I do have a MUCH better understanding and appreciation of the sport. I can actually follow along, I understand why people all around me are standing and cheering (or yelling rude and obnoxious remarks) and the meaning of downs. I’ve also come to accept that there are many faithful fans who will endure freezing temperatures, sleet, hail, snow, rain, and sometimes even lightning for the love of the game (or the love of their children).

I’m also a career woman and have observed countless delayed meeting start times in the office because meeting participants have to first discuss and relive the most recent games and events as though that’s a higher priority than getting started on time. It is unfortunate when “after the meeting” discussion includes frustrated comments from other meeting attendees who may actually have a desire to start on time and stick to the agenda for the purpose of being productive. I’ve even heard comments from attendees on the way TO the meeting that it won’t matter if they are late because they know that certain other attendees (who have a reputation) will first have to discuss sports and it won’t start on time anyway.

Conversation can be a good thing as an ice-breaker and in the spirit of building relationships. Why is it, that the greater percent of time it seems to be limited to discussion of sports (not just football) events and to those certain individuals including key managers who are fanatics about sports? Do you ever wonder how much company time is wasted ‘around the water cooler’ or in private offices discussing sports, managing pools, etc?

So what is my point? This is just another example of how this world of sports had inundated so many areas of our lives. At the same time as being appreciative and respectful of other individual’s interests, not everyone is interested in discussing sports or in wasting company time doing so. Many people are respectful of company time and want to be productive. How long would a meeting be delayed or would the tolerance be as great for discussion centered around other topics such as last night’s ballroom dance competition, baby shower, a basket party or other trivial non-sports topics?

In a company that publishes guidelines for effective meetings that include starting on time and being productive, key managers should be sensitive to the guidelines and set a good example. Any effective meeting leader (regardless of their own interests and regardless of the topic be it sports related or not) will tactfully keep the group on target.

One question for Harry K: You’re obviously very knowledgeable and have done your homework, but by the time I finished reading your post I wasn’t sure: “Are you still a football fan or not?!” Maybe you have just gone for chips…?

Susan Jacobs
From: West Unity (Somewhere in NW) Ohio