Becoming Ted Lasso — A Six Step Guide

**NOTE: I’d written this in early 2022, and wanted to begin regularly writing when that began, but as many can attest, life in general & this year tend to get in the way. While pursuing my next career opportunity, I’m officially taking Ted off the bench…**

Becoming Ted Lasso — A Six Step Guide

Writing about a fictitious character’s leadership lessons & know-how is a sort of bizarre, overlapping perfect storm of just about everything I’m interested in:

• TV consumption and commentary (follow my friends over The Saturday Night Network)
• comedy & SNL’s influence on the world of everything (my covid side project: V2.SaturdayNightProject, which is nearly complete)
• leading a team typically looking to figure out a next step (not always true of course)

I’ve seen too much TV, and have envied the qualities of many other characters (out of the embarrassing triple digits total shows I’ve seen; ask me about TV Time) — Ted Lasso though, after maybe the 5th episode, and throughout the rest of the series is different -

I want to be more like this guy.

— — — — — — — — —

What does this feel-good goofball barrel of positivity know about leading? In high pressure situations? With different personalities?

6 Steps & Associated Lessons on becoming more like Ted Lasso, as spoken by Ted Lasso & The AFC Richmond Football Club (and some random clips I enjoyed interspersed):

1️⃣ -He is the first to crack a joke without ever making it seem like he doesn’t take it seriously

• “I believe that Jamie’s on a path to becoming a better man and I’m just here to help him along that journey. You know, think of me as his own personal Mr. Miyagi. Except without all that extra yard work.”
• “Yes, yes — I do actually believe in ghosts. But more importantly — I believe they need to believe in themselves.”

2. - He’s got more humility than nearly anyone else, but also is confident enough in himself and his choices to make the right call; and NEVER is slow to compliment a success.

• “Be curious, not judgmental.”
• There’s two buttons I never like to hit: that’s panic and snooze. (This is actually a Walt Whitman quote, which Ted of course credits to him)

3️⃣ — He genuinely cares, earnestly tries, truly does his best — authentic, honest & curious always, with everyone, no matter what.

• “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”
• Isn’t the idea of “never give up” one of them things we always talk about in sports? And shouldn’t that apply to people too?

4️⃣ — He brings out the best in the individuals, ensures them they are part of the team & has 0 patience for negativity for negativity’s sake

• Roy: Don’t want to. I decline. Can’t make me. // Ted: Well, you have to. I insist. You accept — Roy Kent, until your successor is chosen, you remain Captain of this squad; not for yourself, for them. For the team.”
• (After seeing a player openly weeping over a family tragedy, he turns to the group of around 40) “Let’s go ahead and give Dani a little bit of space right now, yeah? Y’all don’t mind showering at home, do ya?”
• Jamie, you know you’re like a son to me. Now you’re like a dead son, which means I love you even more.
• I’m telling you, all these ties are my fault. It’s straight up celestial payback for the Man City game. There I was wishing and hoping for a freaking tie, and now the karma police are making good on showing me what I get when I mess with them.

5️⃣ — He weaves the mundane in with the profound in with the cliche in with the unique with the serious with the funny.

• Most of the time change is a good thing and I think that’s what it’s all about — embracing change, being brave, doing whatever you have to so everyone in your life can move forward with theirs and maybe it’s the only way you can truly make her be happy. (Long pause) Obviously by her I mean lady football.
• “I forgive you.” (not giving any more away… or okay, watch the scene here (spoiler, of course)

6️⃣ — He is quick to forgive and/or recognize mistakes, plan to improve, then move on and come out better than he was before.

• Most of the time change is a good thing and I think that’s what it’s all about — embracing change, being brave, doing whatever you have to so everyone in your life can move forward with theirs and maybe it’s the only way you can truly make her be happy. (Long pause) Obviously by her I mean lady football.
• “I forgive you.” (not giving any more away… or okay, watch the scene here (spoiler, of course)