The Apple TV+ series “Ted Lasso” presents an unexpected yet profound masterclass in management and team building. At its heart, this Emmy award winning show, set against the backdrop of an American football coach helming an English Premier League soccer club, goes beyond its comedic charm to offer valuable insights for today’s leaders.
Ted Lasso emerges as an unconventional leader whose unpretentious and empathetic approach defies traditional leadership norms. In an era marked by complexities like the COVID 19 pandemic and global economic challenges, Lasso’s style is refreshingly relevant. His leadership is not about having all the answers; it’s about being authentic, approachable, and adaptable. Those are qualities that resonate deeply in the current business landscape. At least that’s how I feel.
Key Takeaways
Lean into Vulnerability
Lasso’s willingness to acknowledge his limitations, whether it’s his initial ignorance of soccer or his mental health struggles, is a testament to his strength. This translates to leaders embracing their vulnerabilities, fostering a culture of openness and trust.
Openness to Ideas
Ted Lasso’s leadership shines in his ability to value everyone’s input, demonstrating that great ideas can come from any level within an organization. Fans of the show will remember that Lasso’s greatest tactical advantage in the first season came from AFC Richmond’s kit manager Nathan Shelley, a role not traditionally involved in team strategy.
It’s not the CEO with the title that has all the ideas. The ideas truly come from anywhere, and we need to collaborate and mobilize them.
Be a Goldfish
Lasso’s most recognizable lesson is to “be a goldfish,” because the short memoried fish is one of the happiest animals in the world. While he uses it to encourage his players to not dwell on mistakes, this lesson also applies perfectly to the business world.
If you’re spending all this time in your performance evaluations worried about your weaknesses and developmental plans, you aren’t tapping into what makes you effective and magical. “Be a goldfish” is a simple reminder to let it go and move on.
Inspire Confidence
Lasso’s infectious optimism and unwavering support boost his team’s morale, a vital aspect and a true differentiator in the war to retain talent.
The new name of the game is all about talent management and strategic people alignment; figuring out how to find top talent, engage top talent, retain top talent, and keep top talent performing. It comes down to tapping into people’s individual strengths.
With the support of his coaches and teammates, we see an interesting evolution with Richmond’s enigmatic star player, Jamie Tartt. Despite his reputation for selfishness in his past, Tartt blooms in Season 3, empowered to play his own style in crucial moments. The same tactics can be used in the business setting.
Old school organizational models say, “Here is your job description, competencies, and skills you need to succeed.” What Ted does brilliantly is he sees each person uniquely and individually for who they are and what their strengths and vulnerabilities are. He taps into really seeing them.
Integrity and Ethical Leadership
Ted Lasso consistently prioritizes doing the right thing, setting a standard for ethical leadership. His decisions, guided by integrity and morals, underline the importance of values based leadership.
It’s never wrong to do the right thing.