4 Reasons Being the Underdog Could Be Your Biggest Advantage at Work

4 Reasons Being the Underdog Could Be Your Biggest Advantage at Work4 Reasons Being the Underdog Could Be Your Biggest Advantage at WorkAs the World Cup kicked off this month in Brazil, the U.S. team is facing what seems like an impossible task To reach the second round of play, they must play up to par with two traditional soccer powerhouses, second-ranked Germany and fourth-ranked Portugal, along with Ghana, a scrappy team thats beaten them in two previous World Cup tournaments.But as sports fans know well, the underdog can quickly become top dog. Long-time soccer fans probably remember the 1990 World Cup, when Cameroon upset Argentina. The reigning champion was expecting an easy match and instead met a tough, determined squad that went on to win its first-round group and eventually became the first African side ever to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.If youre an underdog in your workplace, you might worry that your manager or coworkers will overlook your talents or take your fh igkeit too lightly, the way Argentina underestimated Cameroons grit and skill. But like Cameroon proved, underdogs can be some of the strongest players in any group. Turn your underdog status into an advantage at the office by following these four tips1. Showcase your strong work ethic. If youre an underdog, youve likely gone through considerable struggle to get where you are now. For that reason, youre resilient, and you have an inner drive that pushes you to excel at whatever you do. Put that enthusiasm on display when youre given tough tasks, whether that means putting in extra time, quickly picking up new job skills or turning a project around on a tight deadline.2. Put your creativity and resourcefulness front and center. Underdogs are often more willing to try an unconventional strategy or take smart risks because they feel they dont have much to lose. When challenges arise at work, your creativity could come in handy. Dont be afraid to propose innovative solutions to your man ager and colleagues.3. Use your awareness of social nuances to gain an edge. As an underdog, you may have started your career as an outsider working hard to fit in. That means youve developed strong observational and collaboration skills. You can assess a situation quickly and figure out how to work best with a diverse group of people. Put those abilities to work when your company is looking to win over new customers, youre asked to take part in a project that requires strong teamwork or youre simply welcoming a new employee to the group.4. Demonstrate gratitude. Because youre an underdog, youre less likely to take things for granted. You remember what its like to have few resources and little support. You tend to notice when people help you at work, so be aya to show your appreciation. Even a simple thank-you can go a long way toward building good chemistry with coworkers.Many favored World Cup teams have learned the hard way not to count the underdog out. If youre an underdog, mak e sure youre not undervalued in the workplace. Use your hard-earned skills and perspective to help your company meet - and exceed - its goals.For more on building and motivating a winning team, download a free copy of our newest resource guide, Creating and Managing the Dream Team.RELATED POST4 Ways to Motivate Your Team To Meet a Group of Death-Type Challenge