I’ve been binging on the show ‘Ted Lasso’ recently. If you haven’t checked this show out – it’s great. A genuinely pleasant show to watch.
Essentially Ted Lasso is the coach for an American football team who gets hired to coach a UK soccer/football club. (Soccer vs. Football – what side of the fence are you on? 😉). The show is all about how he adapts to UK life and the ups and downs of managing the soccer club, along with the journey of the players.
There are quite a few leadership and life lessons that the show offers. I’ve noted two below. These are not new concepts. But sometimes, the right example, at the right time, explained in the right way will hit home. And ultimately, it all comes down to application. The more examples we have to learn from, hopefully the more straightforward application becomes.
After all, it’s in application that we grow and transform.
Be a goldfish
One of the biggest lessons I learned – BE A GOLDFISH.
“You know what the happiest animal in the world is? It’s a goldfish. It’s got a 10 second memory. Be a goldfish.” – Ted Lasso.
The point that Ted is making here is, don’t obsess and dwell on mistakes. Reflect, correct, get better. Mistakes happen – they’re inevitable. But when something does go wrong, do better because of it. If you get knocked down – STAY DOWN. .. for a second.
Don’t get right back up. Stay down for a second. Use that time to reflect and correct so that when you do get up, you’re different. You’re now more evolved from when you got knocked down. You’re now … better.
What’s the real life application?
Ever made a mistake at work? Maybe the strategy you were working on didn’t get implemented properly. Perhaps you were over budget for something. What if your performance review didn’t go well.
If that’s the case, acknowledge where you goofed. Learn from it. Be better because of it.
Here are some questions to help you get started:
- Think of a time you made a mistake
- What did you/can you learn from that mistake?
- How have you been able to reflect, correct and get better?
Simple, INNIT?
We’re all in the relationship business
“Ted is out there in the community, either bravely or stupidly braving the music….And while I believe that Ted Lasso will fail here and Richmond will suffer the embarrassment of relegation, I won’t gloat when it happens. Because I can’t help but root for him.” – Trent Crimm, The Independent.
Ted Lasso puts people first. Above and beyond winning a soccer….football…soccer…football match. 😜
For Ted, it’s about cultivating relationships, which leads to a positive and healthy internal culture. When that happens, the external seems to matter less. The wins and losses seem to have less of an impact. Because through the ups and downs, relationships and culture is what keeps the team strong. Not what’s on the scoreboard.
So, in your personal or professional leadership, I ask you:
- How do you cultivate and nurture relationships?
- When have you put people first?
- How can you make culture stronger than your scoreboard?
As many of us are on break for the holidays, let’s use this time to assess how we’re showing up. Whether in our faith, family, fitness, work, business, community, etc. And from there, give some thought to how you can be even more present, intentional and focused in those areas.
Yeah BRUV!
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