Touch the line. Anyone who’s participated in a team sport has likely heard that phrase at least once from their coach. Running sprints is a part of many sports and touching the line – running from one end of the court or field to the other – is expected. No one questions their coach. But why?
Why is touching the line so important? Will those extra few steps make you a better athlete? Probably not. Are they the difference between being in or out of shape? Not usually. Instead, touching the lines is a sign of respect. It shows that you care about the team, about the group, not just about yourself. When you respect those around you, you in turn earn the respect of others.
In the workplace, touching the line looks different than it does in sports. Touching the line here is an exhibition of professionalism (one of the marketable skills sought by employers!) In the work world, it means arriving early and working until quitting time, or maybe staying late occasionally without being asked. It means submitting complete and on-time reports, volunteering for a task outside your job description, doing all the little things you can to be sure your co-workers are not unnecessarily inconvenienced. It may mean picking up trash and throwing it away or wiping up a spill in the office break room so someone doesn’t slip. It means you respect your job, your employer, and your colleagues. These little things may feel trivial in the moment, but over time, those little things add up and reveal your character, work ethic, and professionalism to those around you.
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