I have always believed that cinema and television provide very good teachings for entrepreneurs, both in our personal and professional environments. When I watched the series on Apple TV Plus, Ted Lasso, I immediately wanted to write about it. It is a comedy produced by and starring Jason Sudeikis (Saturday night Live), whose plot revolves around Ted, an American football coach who is invited to England to train a Premier League team. In addition to being a light and fun story (which fans and not soccer fans will like), each episode has elements that we can take up for the leadership of our companies and projects. These were the ones I found:
1. You have to enjoy the process
For Ted Lasso, the objective is not to win (something that, clearly, is not well seen among managers), but to enjoy every training session, every game, every defeat and every victory. If the only mission of your business is to make money and all the efforts are aimed at it, it is likely that you will not achieve success.
2. Motivation changes from person to person
Ted knows that Jamie (the young star) doesn’t respond to the same motivators as Roy (the veteran). He knows each of his players and knows what moves them. Not all employees are motivated by money or position, there are those who prefer greater freedom, others greater decision-making capacity. If you want to keep everyone on your team motivated, identify everyone’s interests.
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3. Learn to listen to EVERYONE
Nathan is the water carrier for the team, but he has very interesting suggestions on how to work with the players, as well as play proposals. Ted Lasso not only listens to him, but values his opinion and executes on his recommendations. This can happen in your company: you never know where the best ideas can come from.
4. In a team, the “I” does not exist
Great teams are not made of a few stars, but of groups of people who know how to trust each other. Jamie is a great player, however, he is always looking for personal glory. When Ted gets her to understand him, he not only changes her view of him, but even wins.
5. Humility gives you greatness
Ted arrives in England without understanding about soccer and its rules. This generates a lot of criticism among his team and the media. But his attitude is never arrogant, he knows his limitations and understands that he must seek the support of others. As an entrepreneur, you will never be an expert on all subjects, do not pretend that you can solve everything alone; Lean on those who know the subject.
6. Look for the meeting points between your team
Before Ted’s arrival, the AFC Richmond had several disagreements between its members. Little by little, Ted finds points where everyone feels identified and gets to know each other better. This happens in all teams: there are people who get along well, and others who don’t, but a good leader manages to minimize differences and enhance coincidences.
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7. The key is in people
Ultimately, the reason Ted becomes such a loved and respected leader is because his true interest is in the well-being of the people, and that includes everything from the manager, to the assistant, to every single player. When an entrepreneur understands this, that is when he succeeds.
8. New talents + experience
Young players inject vitality and energy into AFC Richmond; while the “veterans”, the experience. He tries to put together a team that can give you both: the young learn a lot from the more experienced and vice versa.
9. Surround yourself with people who are not afraid to tell you the truth.
When Ted messes up, his assistant isn’t afraid to confront him and give his opinion. Don’t add people to your team who always tell you what you want to hear; look for people who complement you, add value and are honest with you.
10. Never underestimate the element of surprise
When AFC Richmond takes on the far superior Manchester City, Ted applies several surprise plays to confuse them and lose their confidence. Your best tool as an entrepreneur to face the big competitors is to innovate, try things different from what others do. Imitating what is already done will not get you anywhere.
11. Bonus: Create
From the first day that Ted has been a coach, a sign has hung in the locker room with the word “ Believe ”. This is a motivating message for everyone on your team: when there is self-confidence, nothing is impossible.
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