Five Leadership Lessons from Ted Lasso

We finally caught up with the rest of the world. Years after the show won multiple accolades and our daughters telling us, “You have to watch Ted Lasso,” we gave in. And what a ride.

It’s a gripping, heartwarming story with just enough football to keep you engaged and plenty of humanity to keep you hooked. As a coach, I couldn’t help but see the show as a leadership masterclass disguised as comedy. Here are five lessons that stuck with me:

1. Never Too Late to Change and Learn

Think about Rebecca, the ice queen of Season 1 who transforms into a leader with empathy and courage. Or Roy Kent, who reluctantly steps into coaching after years of being a grumpy legend.

Takeaway: Leadership is not frozen in time. Growth isn’t just for 20-year-olds with self-help books; it’s for anyone willing to get uncomfortable. If Roy Kent can soften up, so can you.

2. Ask for Help

Remember when Ted finally opens up about his panic attacks and talks to Dr. Sharon? For someone who preaches positivity, admitting vulnerability was harder than a penalty shootout. Yet it was his turning point.

Takeaway: Leaders don’t have to (and can’t) solve every problem solo. Asking for help, whether from a coach, a colleague, or even the quietest person in the room, makes you stronger, not weaker.

3. Be Curious, Not Judgmental

That darts scene with Rupert is already leadership folklore. Ted wins not by swagger but by curiosity, by noticing what others overlook.

Takeaway: Curiosity trumps judgment. Leaders who walk into rooms convinced they already know everything miss the chance to learn. Ask the question, pause before you judge, and you might just win your own dartboard moment.

4. Learn from Anyone

Nate the Great starts off as the kit man, polishing boots. Ted notices his ideas, gives him a voice, and the rest is history (with a few messy detours).

Takeaway: Humility means recognizing that wisdom doesn’t wear a title. A a football coach can learn tactics from the kit man; a CEO can learn strategy from a junior analyst. Great leaders are lifelong learners with open radar.

5. Every Team Needs a Mantra

The “Believe” sign is more than paper and tape. It’s culture you can touch. The team rallies around it, through wins and losses. At GlobalGyan, ours is “Ho Jaayega” (We’ll get it done). It’s not about blind optimism; it’s about shared conviction.

Takeaway: A simple, visible mantra anchors teams when everything else is chaotic. Find your “Believe” (or “Ho Jaayega”), and let it guide your people.

Wrapping Up

Ted Lasso isn’t really about football, it’s about leadership, trust, and growth. It’s about how ordinary people become extraordinary when someone believes in them (sometimes before they believe in themselves).

If nothing else, the show reminded me of the simplest leadership truth: you can be serious about results without taking yourself too seriously. Or as Ted might say with a grin, “Be curious, not judgmental… and don’t forget to whistle while you coach.”