Ted Lasso, the seemingly inept football-turned-soccer coach played by Jason Sudeikis on the eponymous Apple+ streaming series, is an unlikely role model for someone leading a tech team. Or so might someone think who has not watched the show.
Rarely has a series, especially a goofy one like this, garnered so many “you have to watch this” remarks in my circles. (If TV had Net Promoter Scores, this one would be through the roof!) So yes, we can’t help but tweet and email and text our friends about it because the show offers an endearing message of heart and hope, just when we need it most.
However, on a more tactical level, it turns out Ted Lasso is also a pretty impressive role model. The way he handles the two stars of his team who are separated by an age gap is worth noting for anyone who manages an intergenerational team. (Also worth noting: a “generation” in soccer years is quite abbreviated.) Jamie Tartt, a young and pompous player just reaching stardom, and Roy Hunt, a former superstar at the end of his career, have an ongoing generational clash as the show begins. Leave it to Ted to tackle this head-on, to get the two players collaborating instead of fighting. Ted’s method teaches those of us who work in teams, even in tech, a few truths.
Facilitate conversations
Ted knows that the tension between these two can only be resolved through conversations. He arranges for both Roy and Jamie to sit at his own table during a charity event. And Ted gets the ball rolling by asking them each to share their grievances. Any structures you can put in place for your team to have intergenerational conversations—especially when they concern differences—will create some momentum.
Call in wisdom
When Roy complains that Jamie is “a little bitch primadonna,” Ted asks Roy what he was like at that age. Smiling guiltily, Roy answers, “a little bitch primadonna.” Ted nods and responds, “You know how they say, youth is wasted on the young? Well, I say don’t let the wisdom of age be wasted on you.” In other words, it was up to Roy to call forth his better angels to help Jamie rather than clashing. This becomes the catalyst for Roy to strike up a real conversation with Jamie.
Accept that it’s not one-and-done
Sitting at the table and having Ted try to get the two players talking didn’t solve anything. But it did get the ball rolling. Your company culture will not be “fixed” by a single offsite or training program. Conversations that effect change are ongoing.
The team wins when they play as one
Ted speaks privately to young Jamie when he scores but fails to pass to another player to do so. He tells Jamie he’s the most talented player he’s seen. But that Jamie would be even better if he remembered that the team is 11 players. The same is true outside soccer. Diverse teams that collaborate well have been shown to innovate more and perform at higher levels.
Obviously, I’ve become a Ted Lasso evangelist. If you have Apple TV+ (it can be shared with five family members, and a one-year free subscription is included with the purchase of Apple devices purchased after September 2019), I’d urge you to watch. Already the show has picked up a rabid following. You can check out Brene Brown’s podcast interview of Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt. Or this Ted Lasso subreddit. Or one of the numerous compilations of Ted Lasso quotes. Or products riffing on Ted Lasso moments.
Most importantly, the world—or even your team—would be a little better if we’d all take a lesson from Ted.