[[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/07\/27\/ted-lasso-leadership-lessons-for-professionals\/#Article","articleBody":"If you\u2019re a person who takes comfort from movies and TV, Ted Lasso and his epic lessons on the football pitch came at the perfect time. Stuck at home, adapting to circumstances both out of our control and involving life or death stakes, the first season of Ted Lasso\u2019s fish-out-of-water-story with a silver lining was nothing short of a gift.\nAfter a considerable wait and more change, we\u2019re in the midst of Ted Lasso\u2019s second season. Once again, our mustachioed friend is bringing subtle and not so subtle wisdom about how to be a leader, team player, and how not to be a loser.\n There are even tips on how to lose and still win. As ever, we won\u2019t spill any spoilers here.\nAre you ready to run the field and score some knowledge?\nTed Lasso leadership: Drawing professional insight from entertainment\nAnyone who\u2019s worked on a team or at any level of leadership understands that getting people to change can be dicey.\nThe beauty of Ted Lasso is that the characters are imperfect, just like us. They screw up, misunderstand, and evolve.\nNone of us want to feel foolish, and our unwillingness to be vulnerable, or in a position of weakness often creates unnecessary stagnation. Enter Ted: affable, persistent, and resolutely himself, the perfect teacher.\nWe aren\u2019t above giving you a sneak peek at the top leadership lessons from Ted Lasso:\nAcceptance\nIndividuality\nCompassion\nChallenges\nAttitude\nLeadership\nVision\nLimitations\nExpectations\nThe power to choose how you respond to circumstances\n(Just like I suppose you could choose to stop reading at this point.)\n\u201cBe a goldfish\u201d: Leadership via Ted Lasso\nLeadership lesson #1: Expect both the unexpected and the predictable\n\u201cThat\u2019s the funny thing about coincidences, ain\u2019t it? Sometimes they just happen.\u201d\u2014 Ted Lasso\nTed has what at times feels like infinite patience, when in fact he\u2019s simply more ok with the idea that we aren\u2019t in control of every little thing. As life from every angle has been rattled by supply chain failures, staffing challenges, and rapidly evolving workplace dynamics, Ted\u2019s perspective holds a lot of water.\nThings are going to happen, some will give us a leg up, others will feel like a penalty. On the field with Lasso you adapt, understanding you still bring talent and potential with you \u2013 even on a bumpy ride.\nLeadership lesson #2: Don\u2019t conform\n\u201cI always thought that tea was just gonna taste like hot brown water. And you know what? I was right. It\u2019s horrible. No, thank you.\u201d \u2014 Ted Lasso\nThere will be times when it makes sense to adapt; there will also be times when something isn\u2019t a fit. When a trend, tool, or idea is completely antithetical to who you are, it\u2019s ok to tap out. Reassert who you are ,and why, and move on.\nLeadership lesson #3: Support and empathy always have a place in the workplace\n\u201cI promise you, there is something worse out there than being sad. And that is being alone and sad. Ain\u2019t no one in this room alone.\u201d\u2014 Ted Lasso \nWe can\u2019t make things perfect for every co-worker, employee, or client. Let me repeat that: we cannot make things perfect.\nWhat we can do is make people feel less alone. We can do this through inclusion, recognition, or even just sitting quietly in solidarity.\nEach time we pause to help someone endure or work through an awful moment, we come away with an increased capacity for considering the experience of others.\nLeadership lesson #4: Challenging yourself is a must\n\u201cHey, takin\u2019 on a challenge is a lot like ridin\u2019 a horse. If you\u2019re comfortable while you\u2019re doing it, you\u2019re probably doin\u2019 it wrong.\u201d \u2014 Ted Lasso\nWhen we said at the beginning of this post that life has been out of control, presenting us with situations outside of our comfort zones\u2014that\u2019s not going to stop any time soon.\nIt doesn\u2019t matter how competent or talented you are, leveling up is a recurring demand.\nIf you allow yourself to believe that everything should feel comfortable and doable at all times, you\u2019ve already stopped growing. Don\u2019t let a little uncertainty prevent you from achieving your full potential.\nLeadership lesson #5: Attitudes can be changed\n\u201cHe thinks he\u2019s mad now, wait til we win him over.\u201d \u201cHe\u2019ll. Be. Furious.\u201d \u2014Ted Lasso and Beard\nThe thing about working with other humans is that \u2018attitude\u2019 is going to happen. It might be the kind of attitude that\u2019s negative and defeating. There are also attitudes that inhibit collaboration. The wisdom here is that attitudes should be seen as temporary; something that can be altered or influenced.\nLeadership lesson #6: Listen and consider\n\u201cI want you to know I value each of your opinions, even when you\u2019re wrong.\u201d \u2014Ted Lasso\nQuarantine has made certain aspects of listening easier to avoid, but avoidance won\u2019t work forever.\nAs a member of a team or a leader of a department, listening to the feedback and ideas of other people is a part of the deal.\nMost of us have probably been guilty of anticipating what a person was going to say before they said it (or if we\u2019re honest before they even came into the room \u2013 or Zoom). Listening requires that you draw a conclusion when the other person is finished talking. Ted Lasso prepares us to listen and take a moment giving a thoughtful response, even if the response is a cousin to \u201cthanks, but no thanks.\u201d\nLeadership lesson #7: You can\u2019t do every single thing\n\u201cAs good as you are at your job, I am twice as good at mine.\u201d \u2014Character name redacted to prevent Season 2 spoilers \nThe lesson here is that you\u2019ll need collaborators. You can be a leader and a worker, an artist, and a laborer, but there will always be a need for someone better suited to a task than you might be.\nNeeding teammates is in no way a weakness \u2013 in fact \u2013 your capacity to understand and act on this is a huge strength. It often comes with discomfort, but on the other side of that worry is the understanding that help is a good thing, and it\u2019s okay to ask for it.\nLeadership lesson #8: Vision\n\u201cI believe in hope. I believe in BELIEVE.\u201d \u2014Ted Lasso\nTed Lasso fearlessly leads with openness about optimism and camaraderie. It may not be realistic to expect that of yourself or your team. However, it is realistic, and recommended, to cultivate a willingness to believe in a positive outcome.\nWeathering the pandemic limitations created an opportunity for people who weren\u2019t always the most outspoken in the room to confidently talk about their experiences. Seize those ideas and perspectives that offer light and hope.\nLeadership lesson #9: Expectations matter\n\u201cDon\u2019t you dare settle for fine.\u201d\u2014Roy\nNo spoilers, but this line toward the end of the first episode of Season 2 made us squeal. You can\u2019t ever stop improving, you should never set your bar so low that \u201cfine\u201d is a win.\nIf we have one life to live, \u2018fine\u2019 shouldn\u2019t be acceptable for personal or professional satisfaction.\nGather your gumption and your crew and set your goals higher than fine. Because you can win this whole damn thing if you keep your head and heart in the game.\nLeadership lesson #10: Ted Lasso has more in store, but so do you\nJason Sudekis, the star of Ted Lasso, was interviewed by GQ Magazine about the season, his life, and the future as it relates to the past. When asked about the past year he said:\n\u201cI think it was really neat,\u201d he said. \u201cI think if you have the opportunity to hit a rock bottom, however you define that, you can become 412 bones or you can land like an Avenger. I personally have chosen to land like an Avenger.\u201d\nWe\u2019ll have multiple opportunities in life to land as 412 bones or Avengers. As you begin to consider the active role you can play, you may not feel like you have complete control, but you do have some. Allow yourself to be the teammate, leader, and individual who seizes opportunities to steer things forward.\nConsider tomorrow episode 1 of the next season of your life\nAllow yourself the opportunity to consider where you want to be, who your team is, and the techniques you\u2019re willing to learn and use to achieve your goals.\nOn the pitch, in the locker room, or while out and about living life, you get to choose how you proceed when things are thrown at you \u2013 because even the best laid plans can fall asunder.\nJust remember what success really looks like when it comes to leadership (of course, in the words of Ted Lasso):\u00a0\u201cFor me, success is not about the wins and losses. It\u2019s about helping these young fellas be the best versions of themselves on and off the field.\u201d\nThe future of business is calling. RISE to the occasion.","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/07\/27\/ted-lasso-leadership-lessons-for-professionals\/#Article_Person","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/07\/27\/ted-lasso-leadership-lessons-for-professionals\/#Article_Person_ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/23x6xj3o92m9361dbu2ij362-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Amanda-Magee-150x150.jpg"},"name":"Amanda Magee","sameAs":["https:\/\/twitter.com\/AmandaMagee","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/amandamagee\/"],"url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/contributor\/amanda-magee\/"},"dateModified":"2021-07-27T13:23:58+00:00","datePublished":"2021-07-27T05:01:41+00:00","description":"Ted Lasso leadership is all the rage, with good reason. Learn about leading with empathy, kindness, owning mistakes, and helping others grow.","headline":"The Ted Lasso football pitch: Leadership lessons for professionals","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/07\/27\/ted-lasso-leadership-lessons-for-professionals\/#Article_ImageObject","height":"630","url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Lasso_1200x375-1200x630.jpg","width":"1200"},"mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/07\/27\/ted-lasso-leadership-lessons-for-professionals\/","name":"The Ted Lasso football pitch: Leadership lessons for professionals","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/","additionalType":"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q1193236","description":"Relevant, timely information & analysis on commerce trends, both consumer-facing and B2B.","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/23x6xj3o92m9361dbu2ij362-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/themes\/hybris_foc\/assets\/images\/layout\/logo-new-2x.png?_=1","height":"96","url":"https:\/\/23x6xj3o92m9361dbu2ij362-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/themes\/hybris_foc\/assets\/images\/layout\/logo-new-2x.png?_=1","width":"500"},"name":"The Future of Customer Engagement and Experience","sameAs":["https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/a-call-for-a-better-experience\/id1479742201","https:\/\/twitter.com\/FutureOfCEC","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/groups\/4844282","https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/feed\/"],"url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/"},"url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/07\/27\/ted-lasso-leadership-lessons-for-professionals\/#Article"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Organization","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/23x6xj3o92m9361dbu2ij362-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/themes\/hybris_foc\/assets\/images\/layout\/logo-new-2x.png?_=1","height":"96","width":"500","@id":"https:\/\/23x6xj3o92m9361dbu2ij362-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/themes\/hybris_foc\/assets\/images\/layout\/logo-new-2x.png?_=1"},"name":"The Future of Customer Engagement and Experience","sameAs":["https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/a-call-for-a-better-experience\/id1479742201","https:\/\/twitter.com\/FutureOfCEC","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/groups\/4844282","https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/feed\/"],"additionalType":"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q1193236","url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/","description":"Relevant, timely information & analysis on commerce trends, both consumer-facing and B2B.","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/"},{"@type":["Article"],"@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/07\/27\/ted-lasso-leadership-lessons-for-professionals\/#Article","@context":{"@vocab":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","kg":"http:\/\/g.co\/kg"},"url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/07\/27\/ted-lasso-leadership-lessons-for-professionals\/","publisher":[{"@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/"}],"author":[{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/07\/27\/ted-lasso-leadership-lessons-for-professionals\/#Article_author_Person","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/07\/27\/ted-lasso-leadership-lessons-for-professionals\/#Article_author_Person_image_ImageObject","url":"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E"}],"sameAs":["https:\/\/twitter.com\/AmandaMagee","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/amandamagee\/\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/AmandaMagee\nhttps:\/\/www.instagram.com\/amandamagee\/"],"url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/contributor\/amanda-magee\/\nhttps:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/contributor\/amanda-magee\/","name":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/contributor\/amanda-magee\/\nhttps:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/contributor\/amanda-magee\/"}],"subjectOf":[{"@type":"FAQPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/07\/27\/ted-lasso-leadership-lessons-for-professionals\/#Article_subjectOf_FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/07\/27\/ted-lasso-leadership-lessons-for-professionals\/#subjectOf_FAQPage_mainEntity0","name":"Ted Lasso leadership: Drawing professional insight from entertainment","acceptedAnswer":[{"@type":"Answer","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/07\/27\/ted-lasso-leadership-lessons-for-professionals\/#subjectOf_FAQPage_mainEntity0_acceptedAnswer_Answer","text":"Anyone who\u2019s worked on a team or at any level of leadership understands that getting people to change can be dicey.<span style=\"color: #e6ac00;\"><strong><span class=\"h2\">The beauty of Ted Lasso is that the characters are imperfect, just like us. They screw up, misunderstand, and evolve.<\/span><\/strong><\/span>None of us want to feel foolish, and our unwillingness to be vulnerable, or in a position of weakness often creates unnecessary stagnation. Enter Ted: affable, persistent, and resolutely himself, the perfect teacher.\n<li>Acceptance<\/li>\n<li>Individuality<\/li>\n<li>Compassion<\/li>\n<li>Challenges<\/li>\n<li>Attitude<\/li>\n<li>Leadership<\/li>\n<li>Vision<\/li>\n<li>Limitations<\/li>\n<li>Expectations<\/li>\n<li>The power to choose how you respond to circumstances<\/li>\n(Just like I suppose you could choose to stop reading at this point.)<iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"giphy-embed\" src=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/embed\/KE54ERJMqNDibq1Y3H\" width=\"480\" height=\"270\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe>"}]},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/07\/27\/ted-lasso-leadership-lessons-for-professionals\/#subjectOf_FAQPage_mainEntity1","name":"\u201cBe a goldfish\u201d: Leadership via Ted Lasso","acceptedAnswer":[{"@type":"Answer","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/07\/27\/ted-lasso-leadership-lessons-for-professionals\/#subjectOf_FAQPage_mainEntity1_acceptedAnswer_Answer","text":"<strong><span class=\"h3\">Leadership lesson #1: Expect both the unexpected and the predictable<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #e6ac00;\"><strong><em><span class=\"h2\">\u201cThat\u2019s the funny thing about coincidences, ain\u2019t it? Sometimes they just happen.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/span><strong>\u2014 Ted Lasso<\/strong>Ted has what at times feels like infinite patience, when in fact he\u2019s simply more ok with the idea that we aren\u2019t in control of every little thing. As life from every angle has been rattled by supply chain failures, staffing challenges, and rapidly evolving workplace dynamics, Ted\u2019s perspective holds a lot of water.Things are going to happen, some will give us a leg up, others will feel like a penalty. On the field with Lasso you adapt, understanding you still bring talent and potential with you \u2013 even on a bumpy ride.<strong><span class=\"h3\">Leadership lesson #2: Don\u2019t conform<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"color: #36668c;\"><em><span class=\"h3\">\u201cI always thought that tea was just gonna taste like hot brown water. And you know what? I was right. It\u2019s horrible. No, thank you.\u201d<\/span><\/em> <\/span>\u2014 Ted Lasso<\/strong>There will be times when it makes sense to adapt; there will also be times when something isn\u2019t a fit. When a trend, tool, or idea is completely antithetical to who you are, it\u2019s ok to tap out. Reassert who you are ,and why, and move on.<strong><span class=\"h3\">Leadership lesson #3: Support and empathy always have a place in the workplace<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"color: #e6ac00;\"><em><span class=\"h2\">\u201cI promise you, there is something worse out there than being sad. And that is being alone and sad. Ain\u2019t no one in this room alone.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/span>\u2014 Ted Lasso<br>\n<\/strong>We can\u2019t make things perfect for every co-worker, employee, or client. Let me repeat that: we cannot make things perfect.Each time we pause to help someone endure or work through an awful moment, we come away with an increased capacity for considering the experience of others.<strong><span class=\"h3\">Leadership lesson #4: Challenging yourself is a must<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #36668c;\"><strong><em><span class=\"h3\">\u201cHey, takin\u2019 on a challenge is a lot like ridin\u2019 a horse. If you\u2019re comfortable while you\u2019re doing it, you\u2019re probably doin\u2019 it wrong.\u201d<\/span><\/em> <\/strong><\/span>\u2014 Ted LassoWhen we said at the beginning of this post that life has been out of control, presenting us with situations outside of our comfort zones\u2014that\u2019s not going to stop any time soon.<strong><span class=\"h3\">It doesn\u2019t matter how competent or talented you are, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2020\/10\/26\/upskilling-and-reskilling-strategy\/\">leveling up<\/a> is a recurring demand.<\/span><\/strong>If you allow yourself to believe that everything should feel comfortable and doable at all times, you\u2019ve already stopped growing. Don\u2019t let a little uncertainty prevent you from achieving your full potential.<strong><span class=\"h3\">Leadership lesson #5: Attitudes can be changed<\/span><\/strong><em><span style=\"color: #e6ac00;\"><strong><span class=\"h2\">\u201cHe thinks he\u2019s mad now, wait til we win him over.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/em><br>\n<strong><em><span style=\"color: #e6ac00;\"><span class=\"h2\">\u201cHe\u2019ll. Be. Furious.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em> \u2014Ted Lasso and Beard<\/strong>The thing about working with other humans is that \u2018attitude\u2019 is going to happen. It might be the kind of attitude that\u2019s negative and defeating. There are also attitudes that inhibit collaboration. The wisdom here is that attitudes should be seen as temporary; something that can be altered or influenced.<strong><span class=\"h3\">Leadership lesson #6: Listen and consider<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"color: #36668c;\"><em><span class=\"h3\">\u201cI want you to know I value each of your opinions, even when you\u2019re wrong.\u201d<\/span><\/em> <\/span>\u2014Ted Lasso<\/strong>Quarantine has made certain aspects of listening easier to avoid, but avoidance won\u2019t work forever.Most of us have probably been guilty of anticipating what a person was going to say before they said it (or if we\u2019re honest before they even came into the room \u2013 or Zoom). Listening requires that you draw a conclusion when the other person is finished talking. Ted Lasso prepares us to listen and take a moment giving a thoughtful response, even if the response is a cousin to \u201cthanks, but no thanks.\u201d<strong><span class=\"h3\">Leadership lesson #7: You can\u2019t do every single thing<\/span><\/strong><em><span style=\"color: #36668c;\"><strong><span class=\"h3\">\u201cAs good as you are at your job, I am twice as good at mine.\u201d<\/span><\/strong> <\/span>\u2014<\/em><strong>Character name redacted to prevent Season 2 spoilers <\/strong>The lesson here is that you\u2019ll need collaborators. You can be a leader and a worker, an artist, and a laborer, but there will always be a need for someone better suited to a task than you might be.Needing teammates is in no way a weakness \u2013 in fact \u2013 your capacity to understand and act on this is a huge strength. It often comes with discomfort, but on the other side of that worry is the understanding that help is a good thing, and it\u2019s okay to ask for it.<strong><span class=\"h3\">Leadership lesson #8: Vision<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #e6ac00;\"><strong><em><span class=\"h2\">\u201cI believe in hope. I believe in BELIEVE.\u201d<\/span><\/em> <\/strong><\/span><strong>\u2014Ted Lasso<\/strong>Ted Lasso fearlessly leads with openness about optimism and camaraderie. It may not be realistic to expect that of yourself or your team. However, it is realistic, and recommended, to cultivate a willingness to believe in a positive outcome.Weathering the pandemic limitations created an opportunity for people who weren\u2019t always the most outspoken in the room to confidently talk about their experiences. Seize those ideas and perspectives that offer light and hope.<strong><span class=\"h3\">Leadership lesson #9: Expectations matter<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #e6ac00;\"><strong><em><span class=\"h2\">\u201cDon\u2019t you dare settle for fine.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/span><strong><em>\u2014<\/em><\/strong><strong>Roy<\/strong>No spoilers, but this line toward the end of the first episode of Season 2 made us squeal. You can\u2019t ever stop improving, you should never set your bar so low that \u201cfine\u201d is a win.<strong><span class=\"h3\">If we have one life to live, \u2018fine\u2019 shouldn\u2019t be acceptable for personal or professional satisfaction.<\/span><\/strong>Gather your gumption and your crew and set your goals higher than fine. Because you can win this whole damn thing if you keep your head and heart in the game."}]},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/07\/27\/ted-lasso-leadership-lessons-for-professionals\/#subjectOf_FAQPage_mainEntity2"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/07\/27\/ted-lasso-leadership-lessons-for-professionals\/#subjectOf_FAQPage_mainEntity3","name":"Leadership lesson #10: Ted Lasso has more in store, but so do you","acceptedAnswer":[{"@type":"Answer","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/07\/27\/ted-lasso-leadership-lessons-for-professionals\/#subjectOf_FAQPage_mainEntity3_acceptedAnswer_Answer","text":"Jason Sudekis, the star of Ted Lasso, was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gq.com\/story\/jason-sudeikis-august-cover-profile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">interviewed by GQ Magazine<\/a> about the season, his life, and the future as it relates to the past. When asked about the past year he said:We\u2019ll have multiple opportunities in life to land as 412 bones or Avengers. As you begin to consider the active role you can play, you may not feel like you have complete control, but you do have some. Allow yourself to be the teammate, leader, and individual who seizes opportunities to steer things forward."}]},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/07\/27\/ted-lasso-leadership-lessons-for-professionals\/#subjectOf_FAQPage_mainEntity4","name":"Consider tomorrow episode 1 of the next season of your life","acceptedAnswer":[{"@type":"Answer","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/07\/27\/ted-lasso-leadership-lessons-for-professionals\/#subjectOf_FAQPage_mainEntity4_acceptedAnswer_Answer","text":"Allow yourself the opportunity to consider where you want to be, who your team is, and the techniques you\u2019re willing to learn and use to achieve your goals.On the pitch, in the locker room, or while out and about living life, you get to choose how you proceed when things are thrown at you \u2013 because even the best laid plans can fall asunder.Just remember what success really looks like when it comes to leadership (of course, in the words of Ted Lasso):&nbsp;\u201cFor me, success is not about the wins and losses. It\u2019s about helping these young fellas be the best versions of themselves on and off the field.\u201d"}]}]}],"image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/07\/27\/ted-lasso-leadership-lessons-for-professionals\/#Article_image_ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Lasso_1200x375-1200x630.jpg","width":"1200","height":"630"}],"mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2021\/07\/27\/ted-lasso-leadership-lessons-for-professionals\/","articleBody":"\n        If you\u2019re a person who takes comfort from movies and TV, Ted Lasso and his epic lessons on the football pitch came at the perfect time. Stuck at home, adapting to circumstances both out of our control and involving life or death stakes, the first season of Ted Lasso\u2019s fish-out-of-water-story with a silver lining was nothing short of a gift.\nAfter a considerable wait and more change, we\u2019re in the midst of Ted Lasso\u2019s second season. Once again, our mustachioed friend is bringing subtle and not so subtle wisdom about how to be a leader, team player, and how not to be a loser.\n There are even tips on how to lose and still win. As ever, we won\u2019t spill any spoilers here.\nAre you ready to run the field and score some knowledge?\n\nTed Lasso leadership: Drawing professional insight from entertainment\nAnyone who\u2019s worked on a team or at any level of leadership understands that getting people to change can be dicey.\nThe beauty of Ted Lasso is that the characters are imperfect, just like us. They screw up, misunderstand, and evolve.\nNone of us want to feel foolish, and our unwillingness to be vulnerable, or in a position of weakness often creates unnecessary stagnation. Enter Ted: affable, persistent, and resolutely himself, the perfect teacher.\nWe aren\u2019t above giving you a sneak peek at the top leadership lessons from Ted Lasso:\n\nAcceptance\nIndividuality\nCompassion\nChallenges\nAttitude\nLeadership\nVision\nLimitations\nExpectations\nThe power to choose how you respond to circumstances\n\n(Just like I suppose you could choose to stop reading at this point.)\n\n\u201cBe a goldfish\u201d: Leadership via Ted Lasso\nLeadership lesson #1: Expect both the unexpected and the predictable\n\u201cThat\u2019s the funny thing about coincidences, ain\u2019t it? Sometimes they just happen.\u201d\u2014 Ted Lasso\nTed has what at times feels like infinite patience, when in fact he\u2019s simply more ok with the idea that we aren\u2019t in control of every little thing. As life from every angle has been rattled by supply chain failures, staffing challenges, and rapidly evolving workplace dynamics, Ted\u2019s perspective holds a lot of water.\nThings are going to happen, some will give us a leg up, others will feel like a penalty. On the field with Lasso you adapt, understanding you still bring talent and potential with you \u2013 even on a bumpy ride.\nLeadership lesson #2: Don\u2019t conform\n\u201cI always thought that tea was just gonna taste like hot brown water. And you know what? I was right. It\u2019s horrible. No, thank you.\u201d \u2014 Ted Lasso\nThere will be times when it makes sense to adapt; there will also be times when something isn\u2019t a fit. When a trend, tool, or idea is completely antithetical to who you are, it\u2019s ok to tap out. Reassert who you are ,and why, and move on.\nLeadership lesson #3: Support and empathy always have a place in the workplace\n\u201cI promise you, there is something worse out there than being sad. And that is being alone and sad. Ain\u2019t no one in this room alone.\u201d\u2014 Ted Lasso\n\nWe can\u2019t make things perfect for every co-worker, employee, or client. Let me repeat that: we cannot make things perfect.\nWhat we can do is make people feel less alone. We can do this through inclusion, recognition, or even just sitting quietly in solidarity.\nEach time we pause to help someone endure or work through an awful moment, we come away with an increased capacity for considering the experience of others.\nLeadership lesson #4: Challenging yourself is a must\n\u201cHey, takin\u2019 on a challenge is a lot like ridin\u2019 a horse. If you\u2019re comfortable while you\u2019re doing it, you\u2019re probably doin\u2019 it wrong.\u201d \u2014 Ted Lasso\nWhen we said at the beginning of this post that life has been out of control, presenting us with situations outside of our comfort zones\u2014that\u2019s not going to stop any time soon.\nIt doesn\u2019t matter how competent or talented you are, leveling up is a recurring demand.\nIf you allow yourself to believe that everything should feel comfortable and doable at all times, you\u2019ve already stopped growing. Don\u2019t let a little uncertainty prevent you from achieving your full potential.\nLeadership lesson #5: Attitudes can be changed\n\u201cHe thinks he\u2019s mad now, wait til we win him over.\u201d\n\u201cHe\u2019ll. Be. Furious.\u201d \u2014Ted Lasso and Beard\nThe thing about working with other humans is that \u2018attitude\u2019 is going to happen. It might be the kind of attitude that\u2019s negative and defeating. There are also attitudes that inhibit collaboration. The wisdom here is that attitudes should be seen as temporary; something that can be altered or influenced.\nLeadership lesson #6: Listen and consider\n\u201cI want you to know I value each of your opinions, even when you\u2019re wrong.\u201d \u2014Ted Lasso\nQuarantine has made certain aspects of listening easier to avoid, but avoidance won\u2019t work forever.\nAs a member of a team or a leader of a department, listening to the feedback and ideas of other people is a part of the deal.\nMost of us have probably been guilty of anticipating what a person was going to say before they said it (or if we\u2019re honest before they even came into the room \u2013 or Zoom). Listening requires that you draw a conclusion when the other person is finished talking. Ted Lasso prepares us to listen and take a moment giving a thoughtful response, even if the response is a cousin to \u201cthanks, but no thanks.\u201d\nLeadership lesson #7: You can\u2019t do every single thing\n\u201cAs good as you are at your job, I am twice as good at mine.\u201d \u2014Character name redacted to prevent Season 2 spoilers \nThe lesson here is that you\u2019ll need collaborators. You can be a leader and a worker, an artist, and a laborer, but there will always be a need for someone better suited to a task than you might be.\nNeeding teammates is in no way a weakness \u2013 in fact \u2013 your capacity to understand and act on this is a huge strength. It often comes with discomfort, but on the other side of that worry is the understanding that help is a good thing, and it\u2019s okay to ask for it.\nLeadership lesson #8: Vision\n\u201cI believe in hope. I believe in BELIEVE.\u201d \u2014Ted Lasso\nTed Lasso fearlessly leads with openness about optimism and camaraderie. It may not be realistic to expect that of yourself or your team. However, it is realistic, and recommended, to cultivate a willingness to believe in a positive outcome.\nWeathering the pandemic limitations created an opportunity for people who weren\u2019t always the most outspoken in the room to confidently talk about their experiences. Seize those ideas and perspectives that offer light and hope.\nLeadership lesson #9: Expectations matter\n\u201cDon\u2019t you dare settle for fine.\u201d\u2014Roy\nNo spoilers, but this line toward the end of the first episode of Season 2 made us squeal. You can\u2019t ever stop improving, you should never set your bar so low that \u201cfine\u201d is a win.\nIf we have one life to live, \u2018fine\u2019 shouldn\u2019t be acceptable for personal or professional satisfaction.\nGather your gumption and your crew and set your goals higher than fine. Because you can win this whole damn thing if you keep your head and heart in the game.\n\nLeadership lesson #10: Ted Lasso has more in store, but so do you\nJason Sudekis, the star of Ted Lasso, was interviewed by GQ Magazine about the season, his life, and the future as it relates to the past. When asked about the past year he said:\n\n\u201cI think it was really neat,\u201d he said. \u201cI think if you have the opportunity to hit a rock bottom, however you define that, you can become 412 bones or you can land like an Avenger. I personally have chosen to land like an Avenger.\u201d\n\nWe\u2019ll have multiple opportunities in life to land as 412 bones or Avengers. As you begin to consider the active role you can play, you may not feel like you have complete control, but you do have some. Allow yourself to be the teammate, leader, and individual who seizes opportunities to steer things forward.\nConsider tomorrow episode 1 of the next season of your life\nAllow yourself the opportunity to consider where you want to be, who your team is, and the techniques you\u2019re willing to learn and use to achieve your goals.\nOn the pitch, in the locker room, or while out and about living life, you get to choose how you proceed when things are thrown at you \u2013 because even the best laid plans can fall asunder.\nJust remember what success really looks like when it comes to leadership (of course, in the words of Ted Lasso):&nbsp;\u201cFor me, success is not about the wins and losses. It\u2019s about helping these young fellas be the best versions of themselves on and off the field.\u201d\n  The future of business is calling.\nRISE to the occasion.\n\n\n\n\t\n      ","name":"The Ted Lasso football pitch: Leadership lessons for professionals","dateModified":"2021-07-27T13:23:58+00:00","datePublished":"2021-07-27T05:01:41+00:00","headline":"The Ted Lasso football pitch: Leadership lessons for professionals","description":"Ted Lasso leadership is all the rage, with good reason. 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