As if there weren’t enough examples of leadership run amok in the real world, you’ll also find an abundance of dreadful fictional leaders across the landscape of prestige streaming television. Think Don Draper of “Mad Men.” Walter White of “Breaking Bad.” Logan Roy—the entire Roy family, really—of “Succession.” The list could go on and on.
Into this toxic world, in fall of 2020, ambled Ted Lasso, the titular protagonist of a refreshingly different kind of series on Apple TV+.
This fairy tale of a decent small-time college football coach called up to lead a professional world football (aka soccer) club fighting for survival in the elite English Premier League has, in its first two seasons, become a bona fide sensation and an absolute awards magnet.
Lasso, the ultimate underdog as played by series co-creator Jason Sudeikis, incrementally wins over all of AFC Richmond—the players, the club management, the fans, even the cynical press—with a consistent, persistent style of positive, home-spun, human-centric leadership.
But is this fantastical streaming series merely a bauble, a cozy embrace in a time of global pandemic and political division? Or is there something deeper, more instructive and reflective going on between the touchlines?
To find out, we asked Bruce Avolio to help us view “Ted Lasso” through a leadership lens. Avolio is the Mark Pigott Chair in Business Strategic Leadership at the UW Foster School of Business, the founding director of Foster’s Center for Leadership and Strategic Thinking, and a foremost expert in evidence-based leadership development for sustainable organizational transformation.
He’s also a big fan of the show. So, it wasn’t difficult to convince him to “talk Ted.”
Foster Business: Is “Ted Lasso” more than just another whimsical sitcom?
Bruce Avolio: Definitely! The show and the character of Ted Lasso have a lot to say about the importance of kindness, self-awareness, transparency and the ability to suspend judgment in leadership. Ted is honest and ethical and empowering of everyone around him. He believes in himself and the common good, while seeking to understand the unique needs and strengths of all stakeholders—whether he is leading up, down or sideways.
In Ted Lasso, we are seeing a master class in authentic, considerate, motivational, strategic and moral leadership that has unfolded across two seasons of a show we might refer to as “Breaking Good.”
What drew you to the series? And what made you stay?
Whenever I start watching a new series or movie, I’m often accused of “ruining” it for family members, by asking, “What are the leadership lessons from this one?” Thank you for providing me with a legitimate platform to share my thoughts! Really, I just like Jason Sudeikis as an actor, and I didn’t have any preconceived notions other than wondering what this show is all about.
What hooked me was the leadership challenge that Ted faced from the opening scene. Here is a person who becomes the coach of a team playing at the highest level—and he doesn’t even know the first thing about the game he’s coaching. Immediately, I thought, how is this imposter going to get through the first practice?
Bruce Avolio
Can you cite an analog in the real world?
Early on, Ted reminded me of Lou Gerstner, who transformed IBM after arriving in 1993 from RJR Nabisco. At the time, I lived near the original IBM facility in Endicott, NY, and remember long-time employees saying, “He has no technology background—I don’t think he can even turn on a computer!”
How does Ted Lasso approach his own fish-out-of-water conundrum?
Ted views each situation with childlike wonder and curiosity. He seeks out opportunities for development and performance, while delaying judgment. He transmits genuine humility, which allows others who know more to step in and contribute to the collective potential.
This shows Ted has a high learning orientation, which precedes his attention to KPIs. Ted focuses on human dynamics—the hardest skill of all.
Everyone matters to Ted (though his family suffers). He adapts, figures out how to do things differently, and acknowledges his shortcomings. We are all imperfect versions of our best selves.
To mine hope from a seemingly hopeless situation, what is Ted’s most important leadership facet?
First and foremost is his resilient positivity. He sees the glass as more than half full. He looks for the good in people, spreading psychological resources of hope, efficacy, resilience, and optimism—H.E.R.O. These are hard skills, not soft.
Ted also approaches people with a deep concern for humanity. He is patient, even with critics. Like the biscuits he brings Rebecca daily—small acts of kindness build enduring relationships. Ted allows himself to be vulnerable, while staying confident in his human-centric leadership.
What other effective leadership traits does Ted Lasso model?
Ted’s leadership begins with a positive learning orientation. His second orientation is empathic concern. He accepts mistakes, seeks help, and maintains curiosity, which makes others willing to support him. He tolerates ambiguity and embraces new experiences—except for British tea, which he calls “garbage water.”
Ted is consistent in his treatment of others, building trust. Leading with his imperfections makes him more influential.
How would you describe Ted’s style of leadership?
Ted is a slow-moving inspiring leader, highly empathetic and supportive. Not charismatic in the traditional sense, nor intellectual, but present, kind, and humane. Simple actions—like telling Sam Obisanya to “be a goldfish”—show his power to reframe failure and inspire resilience.
Does this explain Ted’s ability to draw the best out of everyone—even Jamie Tartt?
Yes. Great leadership is about stewardship—enabling people to achieve self-determination, even after the leader departs. Ted fosters this with his simple but powerful “Believe” sign, a call to confidence and agency.
How does this apply to Nate the Great?
Ted increases Nate’s agency by giving him autonomy, growing him into a strategic partner. It echoes My Fair Lady and the Pygmalion myth—positive belief leads to transformation (the Galatea effect).
How does Ted Lasso affect an organization?
Ted builds inclusion and equity. He motivates engagement and self-determination, producing better versions of individuals and the organization.
Do these leadership behaviors work in the real world?
Absolutely! Ronald Reagan embodied Ted-like positivity, as did his friend Tip O’Neill. Pete Carroll is famous for never disparaging players. Indra Nooyi projected humanity as CEO of PepsiCo. Eleanor Roosevelt exemplified humane leadership, driving the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. And, of course, Nelson Mandela.
Great leaders, like Ted, instill the belief that everyone matters. Everyone can win. Everyone will win.
Ted Lasso photographs courtesy of Universal Television/Apple TV+.