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Ted Lasso's successes show how emotional intelligence can be a leadership superpower

Jun 2, 2023, 23:36 IST
Business Insider
Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso showed emotional intelligence that made him more effective as a leader.Apple TV+
  • Ted Lasso, a fish-out-of-water soccer coach, demonstrates empathy and humility as a leader.
  • Bosses can be more effective by developing their emotional intelligence, leadership experts say.
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Be a goldfish.

That was perhaps one of the most memorable bits of homespun advice from the run of "Ted Lasso." The titular coach's declaration to a frustrated player centered on the idea that because a goldfish has "a 10-second memory," it's the happiest animal on earth.

Coach Lasso might have been wrong about the powers of recall that goldfish possess — they have good memories — but his point was that by not dwelling on our mistakes, we can move ahead.

This and other advice from Lasso might be swimming around the brains of the show's fans now that the story of the fish-out-water American football coach managing a UK soccer team has wrapped its third and likely final season.

Leaders in business — particularly those thrust into unfamiliar situations — could benefit from adopting the Lasso way: Those in charge can be more successful by showing emotional intelligence and resilience. That's according to Gerald Leonard, CEO of the consultancy Principles of Execution, and author of a forthcoming book on mentorship and workplace engagement.

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"We learn the transformative power of positivity, empathy, and teamwork from Ted Lasso. We are reminded of the importance of kindness, understanding, and building authentic connections in our personal and professional relationships. We are inspired to approach challenges with optimism and embrace change as an opportunity for growth," Leonard said in an email.

Part of building authentic connections comes when leaders demonstrate humility, according to Bruce Avolio, a professor of management at the University of Washington's Foster School of Business and director of the school's Center for Leadership and Strategic Thinking.

Lasso, played by series co-creator Jason Sudeikis, wasn't afraid to reveal to those he was charged with leading when he didn't know something. Indeed, Lasso memorably said, "You could fill two internets with what I don't know about football."

Avolio said in an interview with Foster Business that many leaders are afraid to show humility. "When you recognize your limitations, you allow yourself — and others who know more than you — to find the motivation and belief required to achieve a higher collective potential," Avolio said.

One of Lasso's strengths as a coach and a leader, Avolio said, is his how he looks for ways to learn and grow — while also delaying judgment. That willingness indicates that Lasso has what's called a "high learning orientation." That way of operating trumps Lasso's focus on the types of performance metrics that real-life leaders often focus on — sometimes at the expense of understand those they're trying to lead.

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"Ted centers his focus on the human dynamic, perhaps the hardest of all skills to master," Avolio said.

Indeed, to better understand people, Ted advises, "Be curious, not judgmental."

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