What Would Ted Do?

Season Three of Ted Lasso launched last week. For those of us who are Lasso-ites, it’s been a long time coming. But if you’re one of the twelve people in the country who isn’t following the show it’s the story of a bumbling, yet lovable American football coach who is trying to lead an English Premier League soccer team. While many people watch the show for pure entertainment purposes, there are some valuable lessons that executives can learn from Ted Lasso's leadership style.

Lesson 1: Have a Positive Attitude

One of Ted Lasso’s most endearing qualities is his positive attitude. He always looks on the bright side and finds ways to turn negative situations into positive ones. This trait has allowed him to motivate his team and keep morale high, even through tough times. As an executive leader, it’s important to maintain a positive outlook even when things don’t go your way, as this will help keep your team motivated and engaged. How’s your attitude?

Lesson 2: Be Authentic

Another one of Ted Lasso’s traits is authenticity. He doesn't try to be something or someone he's not; he is just himself, flaws and all. This quality has helped him build trust with his players and staff members because they can see that he genuinely cares about them and their success. As an executive leader, it’s important to be authentic and genuine in order to build trust with your team members and foster an environment of mutual respect. How’s your authenticity?

Lesson 3: Listen More Than You Speak

Ted Lasso knows how to listen more than he speaks. He takes time to listen to his players’ concerns and understand their point of view before making any decisions or giving advice. This quality allows him to better understand the situation at hand so that he can come up with creative solutions that work for everyone involved. As an executive leader, it’s important to take time out of your day-to-day routine in order to truly listen to your team members' concerns so that you can come up with effective solutions together. How’s your ratio of listening to speaking?

I’ve attended a lot of leadership seminars, but none as enjoyable as watching Ted Lasso. Channeling your inner Lasso can help foster an environment of trust within your teams and create solutions that are beneficial for everyone involved in the process. The next time you’re wondering what your next leadership move is ask yourself, “What would Ted do?”