In a recent interview, controversial major league baseball slugger Gary Sheffield (Detroit Tigers) described his former team (New York Yankees) as a “corporation” and claimed the organization puts winning at the top of its priority list. (Could that be one reason the Yankees have won more championships than any other professional sports team?) Furthermore, when asked if he would recommend to a young player that he play for the Yankees, he said that if winning was the most important thing to a player, then he should consider the Yankees.

I must be confused; I thought that being a professional was about winning. Let me be more specific and say that winning fairly (no performance enhancing drugs, corked bats, etc.) is very important in sports and in business.

Athletes like Gary Sheffield sign multi-year contracts that guarantee them millions of dollars regardless of whether or not their performance lives up to the expectations that go along with the big money. Win or lose, Sheffield’s bank account grows larger every day. Perhaps Sheffield doesn’t realize that not everyone in the “corporation” earns as much as he does (about $14 million per season). For example, when his team plays well and attendance is up, the ushers, hot dog vendors and service workers at the ballpark all earn a few extra dollars – a pittance compared to his millions of dollars, but enough to help put food on their tables or gasoline in their cars.

As a salesperson, you’re not the only person on the company payroll. Your success not only rewards you, it also pays the utility bills and the people back in the office who support you in your efforts, be they the receptionist, building janitor or the folks who make the products you sell. You see, they’re counting on you to “win” too, not just “show up.” They deserve your best, everyday.

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