Ted Lasso’s Coaching Gold - Rainbow
Ted Lasso - Season 2, Episode 5: Rainbow
There’s a lot to love about Ted Lasso but, for me, there is one episode that stands out from the rest… like a rainbow.
This one is chock full of some of my favorite things – coaching and otherwise. But, for this post, we’ll focus on how it brought up some key coaching tools I love.
Communication
“Fairy tales do not start nor do they end at the dark forest. That's only something that shows up smack dab in the middle of the story, but it will all work out. It may not work out how you think it will or how you hope it does. But believe me, it will all work out, exactly as it's supposed to. Our job is to have zero expectations and just let go.” – Ted
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One of the key concepts I learned from the Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute was Angeles Arrien’s Four Universal Communication Principles:
1. Show up and choose to be present
2. Pay attention to what has heart and meaning
3. Tell the truth without blame or judgement
4. Be open to outcome, not attached to outcome
Like having zero expectations and letting go, being “open to outcome, not attached to outcome” is powerful and critical… and hard. It requires curiosity and the release of control, but results in greater trust, higher engagement, and better results.
Branding
“People who are amazing at their job don’t have to point it out.” – Rebecca
Actually that’s not how it works anymore; it’s all about promoting your own brand.” – Keeley
“I suppose the best brand is just being yourself.” – Higgins
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“Self-promotion” – the phrase can feel really icky. But, when you strip the connotations away, it’s incredibly important to do. Having an effective strategy for self-promotion and networking can facilitate recognition for your team, garner resources, increase your influence, and keep you top of mind for key opportunities.
A good self-promotion and brand strategy will not feel inauthentic to you. In my coaching practice, every client identifies their core values. When we get to defining brand, 100% of the time it correlates back to their core values. Brand is not separate from who you are – it is the “you” at work.
Want to work on your own brand? Use coach Terry Kahler's Self-Promotion Exercise.
Presence
“But I have a secret – I make myself big. Before I go into the room, I find somewhere private, I stand up on my tip-toes, put my arms in the air, and make myself as big as possible – to feel my own power.” Rebecca
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To me, presence is about two things – energy and confidence. Rebecca is a master class in taking up space. Want to learn more about her strategy? Watch this - Amy Cuddy TED Talk
Why I Coach
My last point is not a quote and it’s not a tool – is a feeling. Nothing incapsulates why I coach and the feeling I get seeing my clients succeed like Roy watching Isaac transform his leadership style as team captain at the end of the episode. For anyone who coaches or any leader trying to be more coach-like, it’s a must-watch… whether you need some motivation to start coaching more, to get back in the habit, or to remember why you started doing it in the first place.
I could have gone on and on but I’ll leave it here. Watch the episode and let me know what you think.
Oh, and for fun for all the rom-com fans out there, see if you found all the rom-com Easter eggs – just icing on the cake.