?? 13 Leadership Lessons from Ted Lasso ??

Why Ted Lasso Is a Leadership Masterclass

Ted Lasso is not just an amazing, critically acclaimed, award-winning show—it’s a blueprint for leadership, resilience, and building a winning culture.

At first glance, Ted might seem like an unlikely coach. He’s from a different country, knows next to nothing about soccer, and has an unshakable optimism that some mistake for naivety. But what makes Ted truly special is his commitment to people, his belief in potential, and his ability to turn setbacks into comebacks.

His leadership isn’t about winning at all costs—it’s about helping others win in life. And that’s what makes him one of the best leadership role models in modern storytelling.

Here are 13 powerful leadership lessons from Ted Lasso that you can use to build a stronger team, inspire growth, and lead with authenticity.

1?? Be Sincere ??

?? "I appreciate you. I truly do." – Ted Lasso

?? What It Means: True leadership starts with authenticity. People can tell when you're being fake, and they respond best to genuine kindness and encouragement.

?? How to Apply:

• Give genuine compliments—not just to make people feel good, but because you truly mean it.
• When you ask, "How are you?", really listen to the answer.
• Show appreciation often—a small "thank you" can go a long way in making people feel valued.

?? Example: Instead of a generic “Good job,” say, "I loved how you handled that difficult situation with patience and professionalism. It made a big difference."

2?? Stay Teachable ??

?? “I’m always curious to see if I’m wrong.” – Ted Lasso

?? What It Means: Great leaders never think they know it all. They’re always learning, growing, and improving.

?? How to Apply:

• Seek out constructive feedback, even when it’s tough.
• Read books, listen to podcasts, and ask for advice from mentors.
• Don't let your ego stop you from admitting when you're wrong.

?? Example: After a failed project, instead of making excuses, say, “What can I learn from this? How can I improve next time?”

3?? See Good in Others ???

?? "I believe in hope. I believe in belief." – Ted Lasso

?? What It Means: Believe in people even when they don’t believe in themselves. See their potential, not just their flaws.

?? How to Apply:

• Give people second chances—everyone makes mistakes.
• Encourage underdogs and quiet team members—sometimes they just need a little confidence boost.
• Assume the best intentions in others, even when things go wrong.

?? Example: When someone underperforms, instead of criticizing, say, “I see your potential. What can I do to help you succeed?”

4?? Happiness is a Choice ??

?? “I do love a locker room. It smells like potential.” – Ted Lasso

?? What It Means: You can’t control everything, but you can choose how you respond to challenges.

?? How to Apply:

• Focus on gratitude—list 3 things you’re grateful for daily.
• Surround yourself with positive influences.
• Stop complaining and start problem-solving.

?? Example: When facing a tough day, instead of saying, “This sucks,” reframe it to, “What’s one good thing I can take from today?”

5?? Winning is an Attitude ??

?? "For me, success is not about the wins and losses. It’s about helping these young fellas be the best versions of themselves on and off the field." – Ted Lasso

?? What It Means: Winning isn’t just about trophies—it’s about your mindset, resilience, and daily effort.

?? How to Apply:

• Compete with yourself, not just others—strive to be better than you were yesterday.
• Celebrate small wins and progress.
• Stay humble in victory and graceful in defeat.

?? Example: Even if you don’t get a promotion, ask yourself: “What did I gain from this experience? How can I grow from it?”

6?? Have Confidence in Yourself ??

?? "Believe!" – Ted Lasso

?? What It Means: If you don’t believe in yourself, how can you expect others to?

?? How to Apply:

• Silence self-doubt—talk to yourself like you would talk to a friend.
• Step out of your comfort zone even when you're scared.
• Focus on your strengths rather than comparing yourself to others.

?? Example: When taking on a new challenge, instead of thinking, “I can’t do this,” say, “I’m learning, and I’ll figure it out.”

7?? Optimists Take More Chances ??

?? "Taking on a challenge is a lot like riding a horse. If you're comfortable while you're doing it, you're probably doing it wrong." – Ted Lasso

?? What It Means: Optimists are risk-takers. They try new things, take leaps of faith, and bet on themselves.

?? How to Apply:

• Say yes to new opportunities, even if you’re not 100% ready.
• View failures as learning experiences, not reasons to quit.
• Trust that things will work out, even when you can’t see the full path ahead.

?? Example: Apply for that job, start that project, make that call—you don’t have to be ready; you just have to start.

8?? Everyone is Unique — That’s a Strength ??

?? "Different people are like different cities. Some people are Paris, some people are Pittsburgh." – Ted Lasso

?? What It Means: Embrace diversity and different perspectives—there’s no one right way to be great.

?? How to Apply:

• Celebrate differences in personality, culture, and background.
• Learn from people who think differently than you.
• Respect that not everyone works, learns, or leads the same way.

?? Example: Instead of dismissing a coworker’s different approach, ask them to explain it—you might learn something!

9?? Courage is the Willingness to Try ??

?? "You say impossible, but all I hear is ‘I’m possible.’” – Sam Obisanya

?? What It Means: Courage isn’t about being fearless—it’s about taking action despite fear.

?? How to Apply:

• Take small risks daily—confidence is built through action.
• Speak up, even when it's uncomfortable.
• Learn to be okay with failure—it’s part of growth.

?? Example: If you’re scared to ask for a raise, remember: “The worst they can say is no.”

?? Vulnerability is Strength ??

?? "It’s okay to be sad. Just don’t let it control you." – Roy Kent

?? What It Means: True strength comes from being real, open, and emotionally honest.

?? How to Apply:

• Admit when you need help—it doesn’t make you weak.
• Let people see the real you, flaws and all.
• Lead with empathy—people follow those who truly understand them.

?? Example: If you made a mistake, say: “I messed up, and I’m working to fix it.”

1??1?? Doing the Right Thing is Never Wrong ??

?? "Doing the right thing is never the wrong thing." – Ted Lasso

?? What It Means: Integrity is doing what’s right, even when it’s hard.

?? How to Apply:

• Stand up for what’s right, even when it’s unpopular.
• Make decisions based on values, not convenience.
• Lead by example with honesty and fairness.

?? Example: If you see someone being treated unfairly, stand up for them—even if it’s uncomfortable.

1??2?? Be Curious, Not Judgmental ??

?? “Guys have underestimated me my entire life. And for years, I never understood why. It used to really bother me. But then one day, I saw this quote by Walt Whitman: ‘Be curious, not judgmental.’” – Ted Lasso

?? What It Means: Instead of judging others, seek to understand them.

?? How to Apply:

• Ask more questions before making assumptions.
• Listen to people’s stories and perspectives.
• Be open-minded—you don’t have to agree to respect someone.

?? Example: Instead of jumping to conclusions about someone’s behavior, ask them what’s going on.

1??3?? Be a Goldfish ??

?? “You know what the happiest animal in the world is? A goldfish. Got a ten-second memory.” – Ted Lasso

?? What It Means: Don’t dwell on mistakes—learn and move on.

?? How to Apply:

• Forgive yourself quickly.
• Don’t hold grudges.
• Let go of failure and refocus on the next play.

?? Example: If you mess up in a meeting, don’t dwell—bounce back and do better next time!

?? How to Apply These Lessons in Your Life

Ted Lasso reminds us that leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about creating an environment where people feel valued, inspired, and empowered. ??

?? Which of these lessons resonates most with you?

Here are 3 ways to take action today:

1?? Pick One Lesson to Focus On – Whether it's being more sincere, staying teachable, or choosing happiness, commit to applying one lesson in your daily life.

2?? Lead Like Ted – Encourage someone on your team, help a colleague believe in themselves, or simply choose kindness in a tough moment.

3?? Share & Inspire – Tag a leader who embodies these qualities and let them know how much you appreciate them. ??

?? Leadership is a journey. Keep learning, keep growing, and remember: BELIEVE. ????

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