7 Life Lessons from Ted Lasso

Ted Lasso is a popular comedy series that follows the adventures of an American football coach hired to manage a struggling English soccer team. The show is full of humor, heart, and wisdom, and it has won many fans and awards for its positive and uplifting message. But what can we learn from Ted Lasso as professionals? Here are some life lessons we can apply to our careers and personal growth.

Invest In Relationships

In the early episodes, Ted begins his relationship with Rebecca (the owner of Richmond FC) by creating moments that matter. He asks her about the first concert she went to and her favorite concert. He wants to get to know her and share more about himself.

Specifically, Ted receives a care package from his son in America in episode two. It includes peanut butter and some toy soldiers that are very precious to Ted. One of the footballers (Sam) is having a hard time, and Ted opts to give Sam one of the soldiers, showing Sam how precious he is.

Sharing time (and other things we value) demonstrates our genuine wish to be closer to another person. Doing so with no objective other than being kind is a virtuous act that fosters more profound connections.

Be Humble and Grateful

Ted is not arrogant or boastful, even when he achieves success or recognition. He is humble and modest and leaves credit to his team and colleagues for their contributions and efforts. Ted is also grateful for every opportunity and experience that he has, even when they are difficult or unpleasant. He expresses his gratitude to everyone who supports or helps him and never takes anything for granted. Ted shows us that being humble, gratuitous, and respectful of what we have and do.

Be A Goldfish

?"You know what the happiest animal on earth is? It's a goldfish. Do you know why? It's got a 10-second memory." Says Ted in one of the coaching sessions. It made me realize how often I insist on being an elephant—I remember everything. Minor mishaps, every misspelled word in an email, and every argument seems forever engraved in my memory. Thanks to Ted, I am a goldfish, or at least headed in that direction. Next time I'm clinging to an idea, I remind myself to be a goldfish and choose happiness.

Instill this mindset in your team to promote resilience and adaptability. By adopting a "goldfish mentality," your team will be better equipped to bounce back from setbacks and continue confidently moving forward.

Believe

Self-confidence is the cornerstone of effective leadership. To lead others, you must first believe in your abilities and trust that you overcome obstacles. Be persistent in pursuing your goals, even when faced with adversity. Your self-confidence will inspire those around you, fostering a sense of trust and respect.

From the moment we find out that Rebecca hired an American Football coach from Wichita, Kansas, to manage AFC Richmond to see, the team fail and spite her ex, we knew?she lacked belief. She didn't?believe?that Ted could do the job, nor did she believe she could run the club better than Rupert. All she thought about was revenge.?

Ted laid down the gauntlet that changed everything with "Believe." Who knew that one word could mean so much and?change the course?of so many lives? This one word genuinely sums up the entire series for me. It was the?heart of the show…?so much so that the?yellow sign?almost took on the form of?a character?that the players looked to for motivation and support.

The team is losing in the Season 2 finale, and their dreams are fading. During halftime, Isaac encourages the team to walk to the "Believe" sign and put their hands out.?Belief fueled the fire?within them, and they went on to succeed.

Be Curious

Ted Lasso is curious and loves to learn new things and explore new cultures. He doesn't judge people based on their appearance, background, or opinions but tries to understand them and their perspectives. He asks questions, listens, and empathizes. He respects diversity and celebrates differences. ?Ted is not afraid to admit that he doesn't know everything about soccer or British culture. He is always curious and eager to learn new things, and he asks questions and listens to others with genuine interest. He is also open-minded and respectful of different perspectives and opinions, even when they clash with his own. He tries to understand where people are coming from and what they are going through, and he doesn't judge or dismiss them. Ted shows us that being curious and open-minded can help us grow as professionals and as human beings.

Embrace the concept of lifelong learning and continually seek opportunities for growth and development. Encourage your team to do the same and support their efforts to learn and improve. By staying teachable, you'll foster a culture of curiosity and adaptability that can help your team navigate an ever-changing business landscape.

Embrace Your Goofy, Imperfect Self

One of Ted's qualities I love the most is his authenticity. We watch him being silly without shame and fully embrace his quirkiness on the most intimidating occasions. Ted isn't perfect. He's not trying to be. He's cheerfully ignoring strangers' insults, dancing through life without holding back, and never letting self-doubt be the killjoy. Living authentically, taking the pressure off perfection, and "being right" is the most liberating thing we can do. And if there's anything to add a bit of Ted in your life instantly, it is taking a full breath and letting go of the idea of who you are supposed to be. Doing that was the most liberating thing—nothing more rewarding than a joyous, imperfect, full expression of you.?

Have Courage

Everything about Ted is one big lesson on courage—accepting a job he has no experience in, risking his reputation, and navigating life in a foreign (and not exactly the most welcoming) country. Ted shows us an example of courage with every decision he makes, teaching us that facing our fears isn't as scary as it seems. And guess what? He's right. I figured that courage is scary, but not as scary as not living my life fully. So now, I'm just trying to go for the scariest thing, far away from my comfort zone, whenever possible. I have failed, sure, but it has strengthened my resilience muscle like nothing before!

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