Lead Like Lasso: Leadership Lessons from a Beloved Coach

 Lead Like Lasso: Leadership Lessons from a Beloved Coach

If you haven't had the pleasure of watching "Ted Lasso," consider this your sign to start streaming! The series chronicles an American football coach who finds himself coaching soccer in London. It's a heartfelt mix of encouragement, optimism, and empathy—all things we could benefit from, especially in the workplace. While I’m not advocating for a free-for-all of hugs and relentless optimism, why not sprinkle in a few high-fives around the office?

Here are a few spoiler-light "Lasso Lessons" to elevate your leadership game:

Foster Innovation by Listening

Ted Lasso, is the cheerful main character, he is all ears, and always ready to entertain suggestions from anyone, even the team's hydration (I think the term “waterboy” is taboo) specialist! Not only is Ted open to suggestions, but he implements them and gives credit! Whether it’s office hours, an idea contest, or a Slack channel, create space for creativity.

Embrace Mistakes and Move Forward Remember Ted's "Be a goldfish" advice? Goldfish have short memories, which Ted believes contributes to their happiness. Instead of fixating on errors, learn from them and move on. We once misspelled a donor's name in a newsletter and I agonized over it for days. My boss simply asked, how do we prevent future mistakes. The solution was simple: do one final review with a colleague. Mistakes happen! Focus on prevention and keep going.

Lead with Empathy Empathy has been trending for a while, and it's for a good reason. Understanding your team's personal challenges can make you a more effective leader. Early in my career, I hesitated to ask for time off, even for doctor’s appointments. Finally, a manager told me, don’t apologize and he was very supportive. It taught me that opening up at work is ok (within reason of course). You don’t need to be a therapist, but a little understanding goes a long way in building a loyal and hardworking team.

Positive Feedback Works Wonders Ted Lasso hangs a "BELIEVE" sign in the locker room, instilling a sense of confidence and success in his players. You might not need a literal sign, but expressing faith in your team’s abilities can significantly boost morale. Celebrate achievements, provide constructive feedback, and maintain a positive outlook, especially during tough times. Remember, attitudes are contagious!

"Ted Lasso" isn't just entertaining; it's a treasure trove of leadership gold. What’s your favorite takeaway from the show? Let’s keep the conversation going and continue to lead with a little more Lasso in our lives!