Five Things I Learned About Leadership From 'Ted Lasso'

I’m usually late to the party with binge-watching popular TV shows. So, it’s not surprising that I just discovered the Apple TV+ sitcom Ted Lasso. Jason Sudeikis plays the awkward, polite, and goofily optimistic titular character. Ted is an American college football coach hired to manage the struggling British professional soccer club, AFC Richmond. This show is hilarious, smart, sensitive, and unusually uplifting.

In entertainment, sports is often a metaphor for life, business and leadership. Having spent much of my career in the management and coaching of employees, it surprised me to see all the relevant leadership takeaways the show serves up. Here are a few (warning - mild spoilers ahead):

Sometimes it is more important to know your team than know the game

Even though Ted is the new head coach, he knows nothing about soccer. Literally nothing. However, we learn his view of coaching is not about being a technical expert. For him, it is about building a series of relationships and connections. Up-and-coming striker Jamie Tarrt is his most talented player - and Jamie tells him so - often. As his coach, Ted can see that Jamie lacks trust. He hogs the ball, never passes, and takes all the shots on goal himself. Ted’s goal is to help him see how he can grow as a player, person, and team member, if he just learns to pass to other players. During another coaching moment, Lasso teaches Nigerian rookie player Sam that he can focus better on his performance if he develops the “memory of a goldfish” -- essentially, get over your mistakes quickly. As a coach, Ted learns who his players are, their strengths, and he gives them each the specific guidance they need.

Leaders understand there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach when working with a team.

Do not become so focused on winning/playing/bottom line, that you cannot see the potential of those around you

I love Ted Lasso’s “little league view” of the sport. He is managing a pro team, but he tells everyone that he is not very interested in wins or losses. Other things catch Ted’s attention. He recognizes the passion and coaching insights of the team’s “kit man” (equipment manager) Nathan. Ted makes it his mission to promote him to the coaching staff where Nathan can put his talents to use. As leaders, it is easy to get caught up in the daily “doing” and lose sight of the potential in our people. Leaders are empowered to advance rising stars and put them in more challenging roles.

Productivity is vital, but great coaches make it their job to notice and cultivate talent.

Have empathy and work to include everyone - invest in people

Ted’s door is always open - literally. He makes himself accessible to listen to others’ problems. Instead of just dispensing advice, he asks many questions. In the words of Walt Whitman, Ted lives by the adage “be curious, not judgmental.” His empathy isn't limited to just his players. Team owner Rebecca admits she betrayed Ted with lies and by trying to undermine his success. Ted immediately forgives her. He knows she has suffered in her personal life through an ugly public divorce. Being recently divorced himself, Ted can relate and shows empathy saying, “Divorce is hard. It makes people do crazy things.”

We entrust leaders with the well-being of their people. Helping a team thrive means understanding where individuals are coming from and what is driving their behavior. As a mentor of mine used to say, “People don’t care what you know until they know that you care.”

Don’t fear the apology

During a pressure-filled road trip, Coach Lasso snaps at and berates the shy and insecure Nathan, as he delivers a list of suggestions for improving the team. The exchange is awkward and out of character. Nathan is visibly crushed. The next morning, Ted wastes no time finding Nathan, sincerely apologizing and empowering him to implement all his suggestions with the team. Leaders make mistakes like everyone else and since they speak for, and to, their people, apologizing can feel tricky. Sometimes though, failing to apologize can cause the coach to “lose the locker room.”

Talented leaders remember that a sincere apology, when warranted, builds trust. Rule of thumb: when you are wrong, don't wait - apologize.

Celebrate accomplishments and face your losses - together

The locker room is the setting for some of Coach Ted’s best leadership moments. After an early loss, Lasso takes the time to praise his players for what went right. The cynical, more experienced players balk at this. They are even more incensed, when moments later, he throws a locker room birthday party for the homesick rookie Sam. After a heartbreaking loss later in the season, Ted consoles his players with the same advice he gave Sam - have the memory of a goldfish. Forget this setback quickly and move on. He tells his team it is okay for them to feel bad. If they do, they are not alone and as a team, no one with AFC Richmond will ever be alone.

No leader enjoys facing adversity. Conversely, no team will believe in a leader who ignores or tries to minimize setbacks. Facing hard times openly, honestly, and together can make it easier to move forward as a team. Celebrating even the smallest accomplishments sets the tone.

Coming out of the pandemic and entering what may be a long recovery, the need for energetic, optimistic and empathetic leaders will be great. We will need more Ted Lassos. After the year we have had, perhaps we could all benefit from trying things the “Lasso Way.”