Ted Lasso’s Winning Formula: 4 Essential Strategies for Effective Leadership

Imposter Syndrome, one of the most common issues our coaching team sees in the leaders we work with. The ongoing fear that lack of experience or skill will somehow take away from their ability to lead. Ted Lasso, the lovable character of Apple TV’s hit comedy series, proves experience isn’t everything.  Ted manages to earn the respect of his team, regardless of the fact that he is less knowledgeable than they are about the sport he is coaching. Ted practices….no, lives… four leadership principles which inspire trust and excellence on and off the field. We will explore these four principles and see the direct correlation they have to life in the workplace. 

Ted gives clear vision: If you’re a Ted Lasso viewer, you know the one word written above his office door: BELIEVE.  Ted doesn’t sit everyone down and talk at them for 30 minutes about what that means.  He simply hangs up his sign, touches it with his hand so everyone notices it’s there, and leaves them to explore what that means.  Leaders often feel the need to over explain.  There is power in brevity.  Believe…one word with many meanings.  No matter what the situations they face, Ted’s team knows this is what they are called to.  This is how the team will function…by believing. No fluff, no lecture, but clarity.  How clear is your team’s vision?

Ted gives grace: A word not used too often in the workplace. In Ted Lasso, we see time and time again situations in which any normal person would retaliate.  Anger, frustration, pride, hurt…all emotions which are real and which we’ve all experienced.  Where Ted stands apart is how he lets himself feel those, but doesn’t respond in haste.  We can always see the emotion  in his eyes, and then we see him silently processing the best way to respond.  Without fail, that response is always covered in grace.  He makes it clear that giving others the benefit of the doubt, and letting them know that their choices don’t define who they are, is how we show grace and build real relationships.  It’s from real relationships that trust is born. 

Ted gives space for others to lead: There is no room for pride.  Pride comes before the fall and what leader sets up their team to fall? In one episode we see Ted give over complete control of a game to Assistant Coach Beard.  Ted recognizes Beard’s skills and knows Beard brings things to the table that Ted doesn’t. In a later episode, we see Beard do the same thing with one of the more dominant players…and now we have a domino effect.  A domino effect of others letting others lead, leads to a team of, that’s right, leaders.  There is no room for pride.  If as a leader, you catch yourself feeling the need to be the one shining, you’re in the danger zone.  Catch that nonsense and remind yourself that leadership is about others, not ourselves. 

Ted gives a model of energy: As leaders, people will mirror our vibe.  In leadership, there is a misconception that emotion is a sign of weakness.  I will argue that uncontrolled emotion is a sign of weakness. We are humans. We have emotions which lead to the energy we bring into a group.  Ted models for his team that it’s okay to show disappointment and even fatigue. It doesn’t control him, though. He controls it and uses it to help develop his people. The one thing viewers love so much about Ted though, is his ability to model excitement and optimism.  His team feels the freedom to let their hair down a little and dare we say it, enjoy the moments. Your people will respond to your energy.  

Leaders - the more you give, the more trust and respect you’ll receive.  We shouldn’t need to feel respect, but when we have it, we are able to then inspire others for their benefit. Give vision, give grace, give space for others to shine and give good energy. Your team will be winning in no time.