Optimism
This New Year, Bring Ted Lasso to Work
Lets's create the workplace we all want in 2025, one biscuit at a time.
Posted December 28, 2024 Reviewed by Margaret Foley
Key points
- Like Ted, you choose how you show up at work—positively or negatively.
- Small acts of kindness, like Ted’s biscuits, can spark big changes.
- A shift in mindset, like Ted’s unwavering belief in others, is infectious.
- Optimism surely won't solve everything, but it helps create more of the culture we all crave.
Thinking about your work life in 2025? You're not alone. Whether you’re planning a job change or a fresh start where you are, consider an unexpected guide: Ted Lasso. The relentless optimism and genuine care of this Apple TV soccer coach aren’t just entertaining—they can transform how we approach work.
Here’s the truth: Your workplace will never be perfect and much of it is outside your control. But whether you’re leading a team or starting your career, Ted’s message is clear: You have choice. Spread kindness, advocate for joy, and support others. This New Year, make it your resolution to bring a little Ted Lasso to work. You might be surprised how good it feels and how far the ripples go.
The Pessimism Trap
As holiday cheer fades and the year ahead looms, work can feel heavy. Add in the pressure of New Year resolutions and the uncertainty of this political moment, and pessimism is easy to find.
As David Brooks writes in The Atlantic, once pessimism takes root, it becomes self-sustaining: Optimists are seen as naive, while those focused on potential failures are viewed as wise. I recently described a project as “already a success” because of the hard work we’d put in. A colleague immediately shot me down with a list of potential pitfalls. The approving nods from others on the call showed just how deeply ingrained pessimism can be.
Maybe you too have had your positivity dismissed—whether subtly (“Good luck with that”) or outright (“That’ll never work”)?
This is exactly what Ted Lasso challenges. On the surface, the show follows a cheery, fish-out-of-water American football-turned-soccer-coach in a new job. But at its core, Ted Lasso is about the transformative power of optimism—even in the face of skepticism. Think about it: Who joins a team or organization or starts a project expecting failure? We do so because we believe in its potential.
What if we could reignite that belief and make positivity as contagious as cynicism?
Pragmatic Optimism
In the episode “It’s the Hope That Kills You,” fans and players insist hope leads to disappointment. But over the course of three seasons, Ted shows that it's actually cynicism that creates disappointment—and that we have an alternative: pragmatic optimism.
Ted Lasso’s genius isn’t taping a “Believe” sign to the wall. It's deliberate action to give his team reason to believe. And it's rooted in serious research:
- Positive psychology pioneer Martin Seligman tells us mindset drives resilience, self-efficacy, and action. When Ted asks for feedback through a googly-eyed suggestion box, he isn't discouraged by cynical responses. Instead, he quietly fixes the showers.
- Affective presence is the concept that our mood impacts others: A kind word, a generous gesture, or even a scowl is contagious. After his boss betrays him, Ted chooses to double down on kindness, ultimately inspiring her to lead with greater trust and compassion.
- In Humble: Free Yourself from the Traps of a Narcissistic World, researcher Daryl Van Tongeren shows that humility, not certainty, brings out the best in teams. Case in point: When Ted asks the kit man, Nate, for strategy advice, Nate starts to believe in himself.
We Need Roy Kents, Too
So maybe Ted’s 8 a.m. biscuits and cheer is a bit much for you and you jibe more with the sarcastic Roy Kent. That’s great—we need you, too. Skeptical voices keep teams grounded. But Roy Kent shines when he’s open to new ideas, not reflexively shouting “No.” For example, after mocking Ted’s supportive coaching style, he integrates this approach into a rigorous—and hilarious—training regimen for star player, Jamie Tartt.
Roys and Teds can be a powerful team. A Roy might raise an eyebrow at another “team values” exercise, but instead of draining the energy from the room, he could help troubleshoot why previous efforts failed.
How to Bring Ted Lasso to Work
What I admire most about Ted Lasso is that he stays true to himself. Few around him are kind, yet he holds fast to his optimism and kindness.
As we head into the new year, one thing is certain: Not everyone at your workplace will welcome positivity or be generous to you. But you still get to choose how you want to show up. Here are some ways to channel your inner Ted Lasso:
- Lead With Optimism: Focus on the opportunity, not just the problem. When a colleague pitches an idea, focus on what could work, not what might fail.
- Celebrate Others: Express appreciation for the effort of colleagues, even for "small" things and even if the result isn’t perfect.
- Build Real Relationships: Connect with everyone, from your boss to the janitor. Take the intern out to coffee or give opportunities to junior colleagues. Building genuine relationships makes work more connecting and fun.
- Ask for Help: Admit you don’t have all the answers. Inviting others in is a generous act.
- Forgive: When mistakes happen—and they will—offer grace.
- Avoid Gossip: Gossip may feel like bonding, but Ted knows it’s toxic ("Be Curious, Not Judgmental"). Vent frustrations in constructive ways and lean toward curiosity and solutions.
- Be Kind: A kind word or thoughtful gesture can leave a lasting impact and may land when someone needs it most.
From Cynicism to Hope in the New Year
The new year is a time for reflection—and the perfect excuse to rewatch Ted Lasso (or finally watch it if you’ve been lollygagging). In a world of cynical shows like Succession and a relentless news cycle, Ted’s relentless optimism might be exactly the antidote we need.
Adopting Ted’s kindness and positivity won’t magically fix a difficult boss, the sting of a missed promotion, or political uncertainty. But choosing hope and showing genuine care for others can still make a real difference—for you and those around you. In 2025, let’s commit to bringing a little more Ted to work and, yes, let’s #Believe.
