Business Changing

Profit and Growth Specialist

What a popular TV character can teach you about leadership

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What a popular TV character can teach you about leadership

If you haven’t watched the quirky TV series Ted Lasso, you should. It’s this charming story about an American college football coach (Ted) who is bought in to manage the performance of a struggling English Premier League football team. Ted has literally no clue about football — and, to begin with, it’s doubtful he even has a clue about coaching (especially not coaching prima donna spoilt footie stars). Imagine if it was a failing workplace and management bought in a boss with no clue and zero experience in your field… Ted is definitely a fish out of water and the team is gutted that management has bought in a dud to try to turn around their performance. However, as Hollywood likes to do, the narrative eventually turns…

Watching the series, I found myself thinking about what made Ted so powerful in his quiet and quirky way, and about how he got the best out of people without being pushy or demanding… I know it’s just a TV show and I wondered if I was overthinking it but then I googled “Ted Lasso leadership” and found I wasn’t alone in my thinking.

Fast Company wrote an article on the 6 leadership styles you’ll find on Ted Lasso — this one contains spoilers so only read if you’ve watched the series already: READ HERE.

INC wrote a great piece on how Ted Lasso proves that nice leaders can — and should — finish first: READ HERE.

Psychology Today shared the traits that make Ted Lasso a role model for positive leadership: READ HERE.

And so many more. But I thought this list was good: “10 leadership lessons Ted Lasso taught us all” because these lessons make sense even if you haven’t watched the show (but I suggest you do anyway because it’s really good 🙂 )

“Ted Lasso’s 10 leadership lessons”

  1. Believe in yourself
  2. Doing the right thing is never the wrong thing
  3. All people are different people
  4. See good in others
  5. Forgive first
  6. Tell the truth
  7. Winning is an attitude
  8. Optimists do more
  9. Stay teachable
  10. Happiness is a choice

And let me leave you with this one Ted Lasso quote:

“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.”

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