Leadership Lessons from Ted Lasso
Some thoughts on leadership, positivity, friendships, resilience from my favourite show...
NOTE: Contains spoilers about the show
So this week the last episode of Ted Lasso was released and this show has so profound impact on me that I wanted to share my takeaways from this show. "Ted Lasso," a heartwarming and insightful TV series starring Jason Sudeikis, entertains while teaching valuable leadership lessons. The show follows an American football coach appointed to lead a soccer club, AFC Richmond, despite having no soccer experience. It showcases the power of positivity, empathy, authenticity, and resilience. Let's explore key lessons from "Ted Lasso" through incidents that exemplify them.
The Power of Positivity
Ted Lasso's unwavering positive attitude is contagious, and it proves to be a powerful tool in inspiring his team and transforming the culture of AFC Richmond. In an episode where the team faces a string of losses, Ted's relentless optimism shines through. Despite the pressure, he maintains a hopeful outlook, reminding his players that they are creating lifelong memories on the field. This incident demonstrates that a positive leader can uplift their team even in the face of adversity.
Remember as Ted said,
“I promise you there is something worse out there than being sad, and that's being alone and being sad. Ain't no one in this room alone.”
The Importance of Empathy
Ted Lasso's empathy sets him apart as a leader. He takes the time to understand his players' perspectives, listening to their concerns and connecting with them on a personal level. In a touching moment, Ted consoles a player who is struggling with personal issues, showcasing his genuine care and concern. By practicing empathy, Ted fosters trust and builds strong relationships with his team members, enabling them to perform at their best.
Remember as Ted said,
“You know what the happiest animal on Earth is? It's a goldfish. It has a 10-second memory. Be a goldfish.”
Authenticity and Vulnerability
Ted Lasso's authenticity and vulnerability make him relatable and approachable. He admits his lack of soccer knowledge but highlights his expertise in understanding people. This genuine acknowledgment of his limitations allows his team to feel comfortable and encourages them to be their authentic selves. By being vulnerable, Ted shows that leaders don't have to be perfect, inspiring others to embrace their own vulnerabilities and grow as individuals.
Building Relationships
This is my favourite part while writing this article. One of Ted Lasso's greatest strengths is his ability to build relationships. He invests time in getting to know his players beyond their roles on the field. In an episode where he learns that a team member struggles with self-confidence, Ted organizes a surprise party, inviting the player's parents to boost his spirits. This incident showcases Ted's commitment to building a supportive environment and fostering personal connections that lead to enhanced team cohesion.
An incident in the episode where Lesley invites the team for Christmas dinner and Rebecca-Ted friendship shows the importance of friendship and mutual trust.
One more incident where the AFC Richmond team demonstrates their support for Sam by collectively masking the sponsor's logo on their jerseys after discovering the sponsor's involvement in environmental destruction. This incident underscores the importance of friendship, teamwork, and taking a stand for what is right.
Trust and Empowerment
Ted Lasso trusts his team and empowers them to make decisions and take ownership of their roles. Ted's trust in his players encourages them to step up and contribute their unique skills and perspectives. Not only the team but listening to the staff and valuing their thoughts by asking Nate who was previously overlooked to give pre-match speech and recognizing his potential for assistant coach. This incident emphasizes the significance of trust and empowerment in creating a high-performing team.
As Ted said,
"For me, success is not about the wins and losses. It's about helping these young fellas be the best versions of themselves on and off the field."
Resilience and Perseverance
Ted's unwavering resilience and perseverance in the face of challenges are inspiring. Ted's determination in making Jamie Tartt who was once a self-centered player to a team-player. The transformation which we see Jamie facing his biggest fears of being labelled as “soft” by his father in his early days to prioritizing the team, choosing a mid-field position sacrificing striker, winning the hearts of fans from his former club and ultimately mending relationship with his father(Season 3 spoiler :P). This unwavering resilience teaches us the importance of bouncing back and learning from setbacks.
On Dealing with Expectations:
In the world of football, expectations from players are high, and that's a sign of being valued. These three guys, always donning their jerseys at Mae's pub on match days, exemplify this dedication. In a surprising twist (Season 3 spoiler alert), these guys even paid Rebecca's bill at Mae's bar, showcasing their camaraderie and support. Their actions remind us that in the realm of football and friendship, memorable moments are created, and bonds forged are not easily forgotten.
In a memorable episode from season 3, various club owners assembled for an exclusive league catering exclusively to the affluent. During this gathering, Rebecca recalled a significant moment from Rupert's past, when he would sneak into a football club to watch games, showcasing his immense passion for the sport. This passion eventually drove him to acquire the club. Rebecca also highlighted the irreplaceable connection between the fans and the club, stating that it belonged to them on a deeper level. This sentiment was substantiated by her refusal to participate in this league and sell the club entirely, demonstrating her unwavering loyalty and devotion to stay with her family i.e. the fans.
Simplicity of Ted
In "Ted Lasso," when Rebecca confesses her true motives for bringing Ted to AFC Richmond, his response demonstrates remarkable emotional maturity and empathy. Initially surprised, Ted takes a moment to process the revelation before choosing a different approach.
Ted shows understanding towards Rebecca, recognizing the courage it took for her to admit her past actions. He appreciates her honesty and forgives her without holding onto negative feelings. Ted reassures Rebecca of their ability to move forward and collaborate in improving the team.
This incident showcases Ted's compassionate and graceful response to difficult truths. It highlights his emotional intelligence and commitment to nurturing positive relationships, even when faced with challenging revelations. Ted's reaction serves as an example of how leaders can handle tough conversations with empathy, fostering trust and creating an environment conducive to growth. It also shows how focussed Ted was on rebuilding the club, from a broken locker-room to a team filled with spirit of winning together; over letting petty feelings of envy, anger sidetrack him from this mission.
On draft shared by Trent, Ted requests for title change from “The Lasso Way” to “The Richmond Way” citing this was never about him(Spoiler Alert: Season 3).
People Over their Titles
This is my best part of the show. When Keeley asks Roy's niece(Phoebe) to describe Roy, she describes him as her uncle Roy has a scratchy beard, buys her ice cream, swears a lot, and really funny. Keeley points out that Phoebe doesn't even mentioned of Roy being a footballer in her description. This implies - "We remember people not their titles".
Ted Lasso also introduced me to the song "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley. After months of hard work, when my project finally reached completion, a friend asked me how I felt on my last day. I replied, "I am going with a sense of accomplishment." As I rode home, I found myself singing the lyrics of the song - “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley. It’s lyrics goes by this -
Don't worry about a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right.
"Ted Lasso" is a treasure trove of leadership lessons, highlighting positivity, empathy, authenticity, friendships, and resilience. The show emphasizes building relationships, empowering others, and unwavering belief in a team's potential.
If you've been inspired, share this article to spread these valuable insights and unlock leadership potential. Trust me I’m going to rewatch the show!
Thank you dhairya for writing so well about a series, giving a reason to watch it without giving too much but just the right amount.
We consume so much content on a daily basis and that becomes a part of us somehow if it's impactful enough and I am currently trying to become more and more watchful of the content i consume. So thanks for adding a good one to the list.