7 Levels

Leadership Lessons from Our Favorite Fictional Coach

Ted Lasso is a popular show on Apple TV+ that has entertained and inspired viewers around the world. The show follows an American football coach hired to manage a struggling English soccer club. Despite having no experience in “English football,” Ted uses his positive attitude, unconventional approach, and down-home wit and wisdom to win the trust of his team. Through it all, Ted proves himself a great leader whose lessons transcend fiction and lead to success in all aspects of work and life.

Here are five key leadership takeaways and actions you can apply to your teams:

Believe in Your Team

“I believe in hope. I believe in believe. I believe in love. I believe in us.”

Despite the challenges they face, Ted never loses his optimism, encouraging his team to believe in themselves. Each individual has unique strengths to offer to the team’s success, and Ted recognizes and encourages them to embrace these strengths. Great leaders believe in their teams and help them see their full potential.

Action: Get to know your team members’ strengths. Challenge them to innovate and push beyond the horizon of their abilities. Ensure they feel your trust and support in the process.

Lead by Example

“It’s not just about being the best, it’s about being the best you can be.”

Ted doesn’t just tell his team “what” to do, he leads them by inspiring “how” and “why.” By being the first one in and the last one out, he sets the tone for work ethic and commitment to success. Ted acts with integrity, doing what he says he will do, when he says he will do it. As a leader, he brings an enthusiasm that sets the standard for his team.

Action: Exhibit the behaviors you want to see from your team. Inspire them with your enthusiasm, commitment, and drive.

Lead with Kindness and Empathy

“It’s the players that are the heart of this club, not any one person. And it’s amazing how far you can get by just treating every person you meet with kindness and respect.”

Kindness and empathy define the most attractive aspects of Ted Lasso. Ted takes the time to understand the personal lives and challenges of his team. He values their opinions, listens to their concerns, discovers their motivations, and uses this knowledge to help them reach their full potential. He puts compassion ahead of everything else. From the team star to the kit boy, Ted sees the unique needs of every individual and seeks to make a genuine connection. Sincere investment builds a mutual bond of loyalty and trust.

Action: Make a conscious effort to treat everyone you meet with kindness and respect. Take time to get to know your team on a personal level and show them that you care about their well-being.

Celebrate Success and Embrace Failure

“You know what the happiest animal on Earth is? It’s a goldfish. You know why? Got a ten-second memory. Be a goldfish.”

While Ted sees little value in dwelling on mistakes, he encourages his team to celebrate achievements and enjoy their victories to the fullest. Recognizing improvement and trumpeting success raises morale and reinforces a sense of accomplishment. Ted also understands that failure is a necessary ingredient for improvement. He asks players to embrace their mistakes, learn from them, and move on. A culture that expects creative risk taking must allow for and encourage failure as a natural part of personal and professional growth.

Action: Take time to celebrate success, regardless of how big or small. Recognize individuals, in front of their peers, for their contributions. Encourage team members to take risks and accept the potential for failure as an opportunity to learn and improve.

Embrace Positivity

“You gotta believe that you’re going to be successful, but you can’t always control the outcome. But you can control the process. And if you’re focusing on the process, then the outcome takes care of itself.”

Ted Lasso is a character who finds optimism in even the most discouraging situations. Instead of accepting excuses for why something can’t be done, he seeks solutions to make them possible. His positive attitude never allows setbacks or obstacles to mar his motivation. He is quick to adapt to new situations and is always looking for ways to improve himself and his team.

Action: Be an example of positivity. When faced with challenges, make a conscious effort to focus on the positive as you seek a solution. Encourage your team to learn from the process and celebrate the improvements along the way.

“BELIEVE” is the through line of Ted Lasso. It is his mantra. Every heart-warming episode is 30 minutes of hilarity, humanity and an opportunity to see art imitate life as Ted reminds us what is possible. Henry Ford spoke a universal truth when he said, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.” Believe that you can bring out the best in people. Believe that those in your charge want you to do your best for them. Know yourself, know your team, and believe that you can lead them to success.

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