It is not hard to see why The Ted Lasso Show was a huge hit with a massive following. Ted Lasso’s positive and optimistic “can do” attitude was appealing and very relatable. I found it fun to follow his adventures and ways he maneuvered the challenges of being a coach, transferring to a new country, adapting to new culture plus managing a wide array of personalities and still coming out on top!
I had a great time weaving lessons from this series of what we can learn from Ted Lasso for a RKW Residential Leadership Meeting into my “How To Be Coach Not A Boss” program. Here are some of my top takeaways.
Leadership Lessons #1: Courage is about being willing to try
Ted is a great role model for “willingness to try” new things as he experiments with players changing positions, with new tactics, and with new coaches on his staff. We all get stuck sometimes in the routine of work and life. Have courage to get off your complacency cushion to try a new strategy or initiative. As you know there can be rewards gained when you take a risk.
Leadership Lesson #2: Know your purpose as a leader is to grow and build your team
Ted Lasso realizes that nothing drives him more than the ability to develop his players and help them to not only become a great team and become good and responsible people.
"I believe in hope." -Ted Lasso
Leadership Lesson #3: Believe
One of the most memorable moments in the show is when Ted tapes up a rough bright yellow sign on the wall. Maybe it is Ted’s childlike innocence shining through out the series, but it’s also the intention behind the legendary “BELIEVE” sign’s purpose. He is a person who wakes up every single morning wanting to believe that more than anything, everything will be okay. It’s a deliberate choice. Change is hard. Optimism is hard. Believing in something, hope especially, is hard. But it’s a choice. If we choose to believe, it refines our actions with intention. If we believe, we are choosing to have hope. This just may give us that push or nudge of strength to keep on moving.
“You know what the happiest animal on earth is? It’s a goldfish. You know why? It’s got a 10-second memory.”-Ted Lasso
Leadership Lesson #4: Be Like A Goldfish
Make a mistake? Do not let it define you or deter you as this allows you to succeed in the present. Don’t dwell on mistakes. Fail forward and learn from them and move on just like a goldfish forgetting things within 10 seconds. Instill this mindset in your team to
promote resilience and adaptability. By adopting a "goldfish mentality," your team will be better equipped to bounce back from setbacks and to continue moving forward with confidence.
Leadership Lesson #5: Winning is an Attitude
Success is not only about achieving a specific outcome, but also about cultivating a mindset of positivity, determination, and resilience. Inspire your team to approach challenges with a winning attitude and to remain focused on the bigger picture, even when faced with setbacks.
Leadership Lesson #6: Stay Teachable
Embrace the concept of lifelong learning and continually seek out opportunities for growth and development. Encourage your team to do the same and support their efforts to learn and improve. By staying teachable, you'll foster a culture of curiosity and adaptability that can help your team navigate an ever-changing business landscape.
There are many takeaways from these series that we can all apply as a coach, leader, friend or parent. You may have a favorite that I did not mention. If so, please share how you have used this Ted Lasso wisdom in your life.