10 Emotional Intelligence Lessons from Ted Lasso

Last year, my children encouraged me to watch the HBO mini series Ted Lasso. I thought why not, I was a former coach and it was a sports themed show.

Aside from some of the language and content, I thought it was phenomenal, and it proved to me leadership lessons can come from many places.

Ted Lasso is the story of an optimistic American football coach transitioning to the world of British soccer. As I was watching it, I began to note some lessons I observed.

In full transparency, I just labeled the notes as examples of emotional intelligence (EI) while preparing for a “Harnessing Emotional Intelligence” academy class.

Also, we teach “Grace and Truth” (Biblically based principles) as foundational skills in our Cultural Impact Academy sessions.

Below are 10 emotional intelligent lessons to demonstrate how balancing “Grace and Truth” can transform individuals, teams, and organizations.

1. Listening Builds Trust

Ted always strives to understand his team members on a personal level. He takes the time to listen and recognize their emotions, creating a bond of trust that strengthens the entire team.

Leadership Lesson: Listening and empathy are essential for emotional intelligence. When leaders genuinely care about their people, they build trust and loyalty that withstand challenges.

2. Optimism Inspires Resilience

Ted’s unwavering optimism is contagious. He sees setbacks not as failures but as opportunities to learn and grow. His positivity inspires his team and everyone around him.

Leadership Lesson: A positive outlook can shift perspectives and energize teams, especially in difficult times. Optimistic leaders create an environment of encouragement. The legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden once said, "Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out."

3. Psychological Safety Drives Innovation

Ted fosters a culture where his players feel safe to voice their opinions, admit mistakes, and take risks without fear of judgment and /or criticism. This openness unlocks their creativity and potential.

Leadership Lesson: Teams flourish when they feel psychologically safe. Leaders who foster open communication and embrace vulnerability create an environment where innovation and growth can thrive.

This principle echoes the spirit of Matthew 25:40: 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' Treating every team member with respect and care, regardless of their role, creates trust and empowers everyone to contribute their best."

4. Vulnerability Makes Leaders Real

Ted isn’t afraid to show his emotions or share his struggles, whether it’s his anxiety or moments of self-doubt. He was coaching a professional sports team without a personal knowledge of the sport or the rules. This vulnerability makes him relatable and approachable to his team.

Leadership Lesson: Authenticity matters. When leaders are transparent about their challenges, they foster deeper connections and build trust.

5. People Over Performance

Ted values his players as individuals first and athletes second. He focuses on their personal growth as people first, realizing the relationships he created with his team lasted longer than yesterdays game.

Leadership Lesson: Prioritizing people over immediate results creates a culture of loyalty and engagement, which ultimately drives sustainable performance.

6. Humor Reduces Tension

Ted uses humor to diffuse conflicts, lighten stressful moments, and bring his team closer together. His cheerful demeanor and well-timed jokes foster camaraderie and help ease tension, reminding everyone not to take themselves too seriously.

Leadership Lesson: Humor (not sarcasm) is a powerful tool for reducing stress and building a positive team culture. It helps maintain perspective—successes are not permanent, and failures are not fatal. By lightening the mood, leaders can create an environment where teams feel supported and resilient in the face of challenges.

7. Forgiveness Cultivates Growth

Throughout the series, Ted offers grace to those who make mistakes, whether it’s a player acting out or a colleague betraying him. His ability to forgive fosters personal growth and mends relationships. My favorite line, “I hope all of us or none of us are judged by our weakest moment”.

Leadership Lesson: In leadership, you lost the right to “get even: or hold a grudge. Forgiveness isn’t weakness; it’s a catalyst for growth. By offering second chances, leaders help others learn from mistakes and move forward.

Personal Leadership Lesson: Early in my HR career, I implemented an 'illegal drug testing policy' in the mid-1980s—a well-intentioned but ultimately flawed initiative. It came to light during an Executive Roundtable meeting, revealed by corporate counsel in front of the entire Executive Team. I was sure I’d be fired and braced myself for the worst.

The next day, Dick Johnson, the EVP of Manufacturing—and my boss’s boss—walked into my office. Instead of reprimanding me, he said, 'I’m proud of you for taking the initiative. But I have one ask: learn from this mistake, and never work in fear of making another one.'

That moment shaped my understanding of leadership and forgiveness. It reinforced that growth often comes from failure, and great leaders use mistakes as stepping stones, not stumbling blocks.

Just as Ted Lasso inspires his team to see beyond setbacks, Dick’s approach taught me to embrace mistakes as opportunities to learn and improve.

8. Leading by Example Sets the Tone

Ted embodies the behaviors he expects from his team, such as kindness, respect, and perseverance. His actions models the culture he wants to create.

Leadership Lesson: Leadership is about modeling the values you want to see in your team.

I attended a Dr. Stephen Covey seminar 30 years ago and still remember his definition of leadership. “Treat people as you want them to be, not as they are”. When leaders lead by example, they inspire others to follow.

9. The Bigger Picture Matters

Ted’s "Believe" sign is more than a symbol. It’s a philosophy he teaches his team. Success isn’t just about winning games but about becoming the best person we can be.

Leadership Lesson: Great leaders focus on long-term purpose and development over short-term results. This perspective creates lasting impact for both individuals and organizations.

10. Small Wins Build Momentum

Ted knows the value of celebrating progress, no matter how small. By acknowledging even minor victories, he motivates his team and builds their confidence.

Leadership Lesson: Celebrating small wins energizes teams and fosters a sense of accomplishment. Leaders who acknowledge progress help keep their teams motivated and aligned with the bigger picture. Remember, improving 100 things by 1% can have the same impact as improving one thing by 100%—small, consistent progress leads to big results."

Final Thought: Leadership with Grace and Truth

Ted Lasso’s leadership is a masterclass in balancing Grace and Truth. He was always encouraging, humble and truthful. The takeaway for me. Grace always came before truth, as it should. Sometimes we miss this as leaders.

He leads with empathy, optimism, and humor while holding his team accountable to their potential. His ability to inspire, connect, and transform makes him a model of emotionally intelligent leadership.

For leaders everywhere, the takeaway is clear: Invest in your people, foster a culture of trust, and lead with authenticity. When you do, success follows—not just in results but in the growth and loyalty of your team.

If a Ted Lasso lesson resonates most with you? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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