That show, Ted Lasso, evolved from a TV commercial for the English soccer Premier League that aired on American television in 2014 with former Saturday Night Live star Jason Sudeikis. It became an Emmy Award–winning hit and, more importantly for the context of this conversation, something that exudes positivity in a world where positives can be hard to find these days.
Sudeikis’s character, Ted Lasso, is a relentlessly kind and positive American football coach brought to England to try his hand at coaching soccer as part of a larger scheme. He gets off to a rocky start but eventually wins over his team with a style quite foreign to most of them. The show is a perfect feel-good comedy but is also in many respects a teaching tool for modern leadership.
Through two seasons of the show, the principles and teachings in the unofficial Book of Lasso are vast. I provide here my top takeaways from Ted Lasso that we all could apply in our districts (and our own lives) today.
Did you know?
Vulnerability lets those you lead see you as real, honest, and courageous.
Be . . . a Goldfish
In an effort to squash his players’ negative thinking during a season of losses, Lasso urges them to “be a goldfish.” He claims that goldfish are the happiest animals on Earth because they have a short memory. Although I haven’t double-checked the science on that, the message rings true. As the team suffers losses through the first season, this phrase frequently comes into play.
At a time when things are changing left and right in our school settings (not all of them positive), we should all be goldfish. When negativity arises or mistakes are made, having a short memory and refocusing is vital.
Be . . . Kind
Although it seems that something as simple as “be kind” shouldn’t need a reminder, let’s throw it in anyway. Lasso greets everyone he meets with a smile. He remembers people’s names. He makes eye contact, is genuinely interested in what people have to say, and lends a helping hand whenever someone needs it. From the owner of the soccer organization to the woman taking tickets, Lasso shows the same kindness to all.
In Lasso’s world, kindness is gold; it should be treated as such in ours as well. We so often let our own personal issues affect how we treat others. It costs nothing to be kind to someone. Making kindness a habit and priority should be an aim for all of us.
Be . . . Vulnerable
Lasso admits at his opening press conference that he doesn’t know all the rules. He owns his mistakes. He’s not afraid to show emotion in front of his team. He divulges some very personal information (a major plot point in Season 2). We see this ability to be vulnerable permeate the team, ultimately leading to their success.
Traditionally, leaders have considered vulnerability a weakness. But here’s the thing: Being able to show vulnerability is a strength. Vulnerability lets those you lead see you as real, honest, and courageous. Vulnerability breeds trust in your team and breaks down the barriers between leaders and those they lead.
Be . . . Authentic
The only time in the show when a character believes Lasso is not being authentic is when they first meet him; that belief in Lasso’s unauthenticity is based on the disbelief that someone like Lasso exists. But throughout the show, Lasso never pretends to be someone he’s not. He remains his folksy, Midwestern self, even in London, and he isn’t afraid to make unpopular decisions.
Lasso doesn’t hesitate to bench a star player, rooting his decision in his own principles, not the opinions of others. In fact, a character assessing the organization’s culture in Season 2 comments on how everyone is able to be themselves in the environment Lasso has created.
Being your authentic self conveys honesty and integrity to those with whom you work. Not being afraid to make tough, unpopular decisions shows strength in your convictions.
Be . . . Curious, not Judgmental
In a showdown with a rival late in Season 1, Lasso uses the opportunity to lecture his opponent (in the kindest way possible using a story of his upbringing and a Walt Whitman quote) on why the rival shouldn’t have made assumptions about Ted.
Rushing to judgment is easier. We have the ability to make connections by a multitude of different means of communication, yet it’s easier for all of us to assume we know people and to pass judgment.
Asking questions, discovering motivations, and learning about people should be paramount. Keep learning. Keep investing in connections with other people. Never stop being curious.
Be . . . Courageous
In Season 2, one of the team’s young stars, Sam Obisanya, becomes the model for courage in the show. He first takes a stand regarding the team’s sponsor and its dealings in his home country, despite the concerns of his team’s ownership and despite how his teammates might react.
If we are principled and give everything we have, we should never have fear. Our own courage to do our jobs well and make difficult decisions should be rooted in the values that we all have as educators.
Be . . . Compassionate
Young star Jamie Tartt was tough to root for early in the show’s run. Talented, but cocky, Tartt rubbed many of his teammates and coaches the wrong way. But through the show’s two seasons, his own demons and suffering come to light.
Tartt’s father is cruel and expresses disappointment in his son despite his success, and it’s only through unfortunate observations by Lasso and Tartt’s former teammate Roy Kent that the genesis of Tartt’s behavior is realized. This realization transforms into an outpouring of compassion for Tartt as both Lasso and Kent understand what he’s going through.
You never know when someone is truly suffering and, more importantly, whether anyone is there for that person. Showing compassion when someone needs it brings people together and allows them to feel supported.
Be . . . Open
Lasso creates an environment where barriers are broken between boss and subordinates, and everyone is allowed to be open with one another. At the outset, equipment man Nate is hesitant to show his knowledge of soccer because the previous coach didn’t allow it. But eventually, he becomes a coach himself because Lasso lets him show his worth. Lasso asks players for their input about team strategy and creates an environment where it’s OK for everyone to be honest with one another when it comes to team or personal issues.
Unless organizational barriers are broken and an environment that supports open dialogue exists, the true value of someone and the true potential of your organization may never be realized.
Be . . . Forgiving
Forgiveness can involve forgiving yourself or forgiving someone else. In Lasso, we see powerful examples of both, as well as the negative ramifications of an inability to forgive.
Lasso forgives his boss in Season 1 when she reveals her true, devious motives. He realizes the need to forgive his wife and father. He also forgives himself for the personal demons he’s dealing with. Throughout the show’s run, most of the characters see the positive power of forgiveness. And as Season 2 comes to a close, we see the bitterness, jealousy, and pettiness that arise from not forgiving.
Even though it can be hard, forgiveness is much less painful in the long run than resentment.
Believe
The cornerstone of Ted Lasso is the yellow sign Lasso hangs above his office in the locker room. It’s one simple word, yet it is a call to action for everyone who sees it: Believe. Lasso says: “I believe in hope. I believe in believe.” They are a struggling team mired in mediocrity, yet Lasso will not let them relinquish hope.
Late in Season 2, when the team gathers in a circle at halftime of an important game to regroup, Captain Isaac McAdoo leaves the circle to touch the Believe sign. The rest of the team follows. If a leader truly believes, others will follow.
During the past two years, our belief may have waned at times. It’s been hard for all of us, not only because we’re operating in crisis, but also because we are called on to lead others through these tumultuous times. In the face of such difficulties, the belief that we will get through them can sometimes feel like the only thing we have.
Belief is a powerful thing. We all must continue to believe that we’re going to get the job done. We need to believe that we are doing what’s best for our students, staff, and community. And we must get the people we lead to believe the same.
If we are kind, vulnerable, authentic, curious, courageous, compassionate, open, and forgiving and do our best to be goldfish, I believe, and Lasso believes, we all can be the best leaders possible.