Lasso's Lessons for Leaders

There are many different ways to lead successfully. And if you’re like me, you lament the conclusion of the show Ted Lasso and its many thoughtful lessons on leadership. In celebration of a show that gave me and my family great enjoyment, I’d like to share my Ted Lasso top 5:

If we want this to work, you gotta stop going to me and start playing through me.

• Jamie Tartt, Season 3, Episode 7

The impact of a leader is in how they connect people, ideas, and actions - they drive the whole to be greater than the sum of its parts. If all decisions rely on only one person, an organization and its team members can never achieve their potential.

Be curious, not judgmental.

• Ted Lasso, Season 1 Episode 8 (attributed to Walt Whitman)

The world is in a constant state of change. Learning to create opportunities amidst change requires a genuine desire to learn; curiosity about the world, your market, and people reveals new ways to succeed.

Believe

• Ted Lasso, Every Episode!

Meaning comes for many people by being part of something greater than themselves; by believing in a common idea, we can achieve more than we can on our own. As I thought about this harder though, I noticed the ever-present sign above Ted’s door includes no punctuation. It’s not a command or a request. This sign also serves as a reminder to lead by example. Actions demonstrate support for a belief.

Every disadvantage has its advantage.

• Rebecca, Season 1, Episode 10

All people are different people.

• Coach Beard, Season 2, Episode 1

The struggles that all people face give rise to unique perspectives and strengths. Leaders who understand their own advantages (that may have come from disadvantages) and can elicit and utilize the unique perspectives and strengths of others create even more opportunities for their organizations.

I shouldn’t bring an umbrella to a brainstorm.

• Ted Lasso Season 2, Episode 1

Leaders walk a fine line between directing their team members toward a purpose and allowing creativity to bring about new ideas. Shutting down or blocking ideas during a creative process limits possibilities and how portions of ideas can be combined to bring about a novel and more effective answer.

There are too many great ones - here are some bonus honorable mentions too:

I think that you might be so sure that you're one in a million that sometimes you forget that out there, you're just one in 11.

• Ted Lasso, Season 1, Episode 2

I promise you there is something worse out there than being sad, and that's being alone and being sad. Ain't no one in this room alone.

• Ted Lasso, Season 1, Episode 10

The harder you work, the luckier you get.

• Ted Lasso, Season 1, Episode 1

Football is life!

• Dani Rojas, Season 2, Episode 12

Doing the right thing is never the wrong thing.

• Ted Lasso, Season 2, Episode 3

I suppose the best brand is being yourself.

• Higgins, Season 2, Episode 5

You say impossible, but all I hear is, 'I'm possible.

• Ted Lasso, Season 2, Episode 11

The truth will set you free, but first, it will piss you off.

• Doctor Sharon, Season 2, Episode 12

Human beings are never gonna be perfect, Roy. The best we can do is to keep asking for help and accepting it when you can. And if you keep on doing that, you'll always be moving towards better.

• Higgins, Season 3, Episode 12