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5 reasons why Ted Lasso is one of the greatest managers ever
Leadership
- mins read

5 reasons why Ted Lasso is one of the greatest managers ever

Tara O'Sullivan
Tara O'Sullivan
Chief Marketing Officer
Tara O'Sullivan
March 15, 2023

Series 3 of Ted Lasso hits our screens on March 15th, and to celebrate the new series, we thought we’d look at why Ted Lasso is one of the greatest managers in the history of television. 

Ted Lasso is more than simply a TV character. 

He's a phenomenon who has won the hearts of millions of viewers around the world. For those of you who don’t know, the show is about an American football coach who is appointed to manage AFC Richmond, a faltering English Premier League football side. 

The sitcom has received critical acclaim for its touching depiction of human connections, and for the beloved character of Ted Lasso, who is brilliantly performed by Jason Sudeikis.

Here’s 5 reasons why managers need to be more like Ted Lasso:

1) He’s Unique

2) He has a great attitude

3) He’s earned trust and respect 

4) He’s a leader who listens

5) He’s an action man 

1) He’s Unique 

He’s a unique football coach. He's nice, compassionate, and has a good heart. He's a coach who realizes that winning games isn't everything in football. Ted thinks the most important part of the game is the relationships between players, coaches, and supporters. Ted's emphasis on relationship development and basic kindness distinguishes him from other managers.

2) He has a great attitude

Ted's cheerful attitude is one of his most notable characteristics. 

Ted sees the best in people and works hard to bring out the best in them. He believes that with the appropriate attitude and encouragement, people can achieve great things. This positive attitude extends throughout the squad. It helps players stay motivated even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges.

3) He’s earned trust and respect 

Ted's leadership approach is built on trust and respect. 

He doesn't micromanage his players and instead trusts them to perform their best. He also offers his players respect and sees them as individuals, not simply football players. This strategy makes athletes feel respected and appreciated, which increases their confidence and motivation.

4) He’s a leader who listens

Ted's capacity to listen is another aspect of his leadership. 

He pays attention to his players' issues, thoughts, and points of view. He recognizes that each player has skills and aims to take advantage of them. He also listens to and understands the fans' expectations. This enables him to make decisions that are good for the players, the club, and the fans.

5) He’s an action man 

He also focuses on people’s actions and intentions. 

When the club’s owner confesses to hiring him to destroy the club, Ted instantly forgives her and says he would have done the same in her shoes. When their star player refuses to pass the ball, he benches him until he learns to trust his teammates, even though it impacts their ability to compete. 

Doing the right thing is never wrong

Ted's success as a manager is due to more than simply his personality and management style. 

He brings a completely fresh perspective because his background is not in football. He looks at the strengths and weaknesses of his opponents and comes up with strategies to minimize their strengths and take advantage of their weaknesses. During games, he also changes tactics based on what is happening on the field at that moment.

Ted's leadership has a significant influence on the team. He transforms the team from a collection of individuals, some of whom don’t actually speak to each other, into a united group dedicated to achieving a common goal. He helps players overcome personal challenges that will impact the team if they go unchecked. 

A really famous episode saw the players protesting against the team’s corporate sponsor, an airline owned by an oil conglomerate that had environmentally devastated Nigeria, the homeland of one of the players. "Doin' the right thing is never the wrong thing," is his homespun line to show his support. 

Great managers build culture through vulnerability 

Ted also shows the strength of vulnerability. When he suffers a panic attack during one of his team's games, he feels embarrassed, so he lies about it. 

When it is made public, he opens up to the team about his mental health issues and apologizes for not being more open with them. It is important for boys and men to see his struggles with his mental health, as suicide is the number one cause of death for men under 50. According to the CDC, men make up 49% of the population but almost 80% of suicides.

Great managers are all about their community 

Ted's influence extends beyond the football field. He also has a beneficial impact on the community. He participates in different charity activities and works to enhance the lives of those around him. He also motivates individuals to be kinder and more compassionate to one another.

Ted Lasso is a great manager because he is a leader as well as a manager. 

He is a leader who knows the value of relationships, trust, and respect. He is a positive leader who motivates others to become their best selves. He is a person who can turn a group of people into a cohesive unit that works together to achieve a common goal. 

Ted Lasso is more than simply a TV character; he is a role model who motivates us to be better.

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