The exquisite psychology of Ted Lasso
Fun & Leadership
My leadership coaching is intensive but I also want it to be as much fun as possible. I often use homework or provide reference to books or TV that might reinforce a relevant point.
Ted Lasso is one such series that is a must see for humour, humility and hope.
It shouldn’t work as a comedy or as a leadership guide. But is brilliantly both. Ted is a B grade football coach from the US who’s hired to run a small poorly performing soccer team in London.
He is completely out of his depth, a real klutz, and totally mismatched with his boss, the team and the community. Gradually, surprisingly, he wins over his boss and the team and the community and the viewer. And get this, you non emotional cynics, his antics and kindness and vulnerability, translates into excellent performance on the field.
Foremost is the powerful paradoxical complete miss- matching with everything. It engenders irritation, then amusement, then curiosity then motivation. Next is his overwhelming unstoppable, irrepressible, positive expectation. He expects you will like a cookie or the party or whatever, and even if you don’t like it yet, he knows you will soon.
Then there’s the stories and metaphors. Weird, diverting, stick in the brain images that create internal motivation.
Combine this with his unbounded generosity and giving, which wears away at the most cynical person and always establishes a reciprocal obligation. And vulnerability; he suffers from panic attacks. He is human and fragile like all of us.
He has High EQ, transparent humility and not an ounce of shame.
Here are some Lasso quotes for leaders:
Self esteem
“Coach, I’m me. Why would I want to be anything else?”
Ted Lasso: “I’m not sure you realize how psychologically healthy that actually is.”
Learning
“Hey, takin’ on a challenge is a lot like ridin’ a horse. If you’re comfortable while you’re doin’ it, you’re probably doin’ it wrong.”
Modelling
“A good mentor hopes you will move on, a great mentor knows you will.”
Focus
“Be curious, not judgmental” – Walt Whitman c/o Ted Lasso
Openness and safety
“I want you to know, I value each of your opinions, even when you’re wrong.”
Ted is an authentic leader.
Let me hear your Ted Lasso moments.
