Ted Lasso and Presuming Positive Intentions
Wisdom from the Field #5
In the Emmy-award winning show, Ted Lasso is a former college football coach who left the U.S. to coach soccer in the U.K. (There is a whole backstory to this fish-out-of-water set up; see this short video from Saturday Night Live for an introduction.)
One of Ted’s first moves as coach was to post a sign above his office door stating:
“Believe”
When I started watching the show, I assumed it was a simple motivational poster for his players. What I have learned is that it is Ted’s work and life mantra. He believes others can reach their potential, even growing into identities and roles that those around him may not have even been aware of or thought possible for themselves.
Consider:
Ted believed that the gruff veteran Roy Kent could become a true leader, not through force but as a thoughtful observer of player performance. His capacity for feedback to his former teammates (Roy retired after Season 1 and became an assistant coach) has grown because Ted put him in a position to succeed.
Ted believed that the club owner Rebecca was not the bitter and vindictive person she initially portrayed herself. This was true even when Rebecca finally admitted to past actions that painted her as exactly that. When the truth came out, Ted quickly forgave her and moved on to focus on the team.
Ted believe the arrogant yet talented Jamie Tartt could become a team player. For example, when Jamie was traded to a rival that eventually defeated his former team, Ted sent Jamie a note recognizing his extra pass for the final goal. At a time when everyone was upset about the loss, Ted chose celebration.
Trust Starts with Us
I was committed to not writing “another Ted Lasso leadership article” to add to the rest of the fray online. Yet I felt this perspective - of presuming positive intentions in others - needed to be pointed out.
It’s one thing to say “I believe in you.” It’s another to act in a manner that conveys this trust in others.
For example, do we believe that all of our students can become successful readers and writers? Then as leaders, we need to put them in situations for success by:
Supplying all classrooms with many rich texts and writing resources,
Creating schedules that provide classrooms with time to read and to write, and
Articulating the beliefs and practices that will likely lead to success.
By supporting our students and our teachers through intentional acts of trust, we are communicating, “I believe you can do this.” The opposite is also true: if a leader offers little in the way of authority and autonomy to teachers, such as mandating they follow a scripted curriculum to the letter, what we are saying is “I do not trust you.”
This does not mean we are pushovers. Ted Lasso calls out egregious behaviors. What it boils down to is believing that others have the both the capacity and the right intentions, noticing when they meet goals and do well, and supporting them along their professional learning journeys.
Reflective Questions
What is a decision you made in the past that reflected your lack of trust in someone else? How have you changed since then?
What is a recent act you took that conveyed your trust in someone else? How did they respond? How did you respond to their attempt?
How have you resisted the desire to “command and control” in your leadership position? What keeps you grounded?
If you could wave a magic wand and improve your school in one way, what would it be? Who are the key players in your school to help make it happen?