I’m absolutely smitten with Ted Lasso—both the character and the show.
I suspect if you’ve watched the first season, like me, you’ve spent some time pondering why Ted Lasso, the main character, is so endearing (and soooo what we needed in the midst of a global pandemic!). If you haven’t yet discovered Ted Lasso, consider this your friendly nudge to check out this Apple TV+ series starring Jason Sudeikis as a college football coach who lands in England and is tasked with turning around a losing professional football (i.e., soccer) team. You won’t be disappointed.
As the second season of this hit comedy is underway, I can’t help but notice how Ted Lasso delivers a weekly dose of team leadership advice in addition to the funny and poignant moments that pack each episode. Apparently, I’m not the only one! This Fortune piece calls the show a “master class in modern leadership.” And this Forbes article described it as an “insightful primer on management and leadership.”
Here are five of the outstanding leadership traits and techniques that I’ve watched Ted demonstrate:
- Approachable – Anyone and everyone can talk to Ted about anything. He is also committed to building strong personal relationships with everyone on his team—each player, the equipment manager (Nate), and his boss (the team owner, Rebecca).
- Positivity – Ted absolutely reeks of positivity. Despite losses and setbacks and a less-than-welcoming environment, Ted never gets discouraged. He answers difficult questions with a lilt in his voice and a song in his heart.
- Honesty – While Ted sometimes appears naïve, it is his gentle and kind honesty that helps his team the most. When his team loses or is up against a difficult problem, he “tells it like it is,” without any aggressions, blame, or abuse. His players always know where they stand with him.
- Emotional Intelligence – This one has three parts. First, Ted is an excellent communicator. He has a charming way of using analogies, examples, and stories to make a point, drive home a thought, motivate, and even deflect from his critics. Second, he is open to feedback. No matter who is delivering the feedback, Ted is receptive and kind. Finally, he listens with his heart and soul. People reveal very personal things to Ted because he is a good listener. He also intuitively notices and assesses situations that aren’t quite right. He pays attention to emotional cues.
- Loyal/Trustworthy – Ted always has his team’s back. He is their champion. He not only believes in the individual members of the team, but he has faith and high hopes for the collective team and their ability to win.
Much is being written about the stress and anxiety being carried by today’s workforce. As people attempt to remain engaged and productive at work despite external distractions, noise, and the onslaught of downright bad news, we look to our leaders for strength, support, and inspiration.
And sometimes, we simply want a leader like Ted Lasso who will make us smile and believe in ourselves.
