Ted Lasso, apart from being one of the most lovable characters in a TV show, has the most incredible way of delivering negative news to people. His upbeat honesty is clear, radically candid, and the receiver of the news is left not feeling bad at all, but with a clear understanding of how and where the exchange has ended. It’s awesome, and there are loads of lessons we can learn from him. One of those lessons comes from the very first episode, and sets the scene for what kind of character Ted actually is.

If you haven’t watched the show, here’s how it starts:

Ted Lasso, an American, has been hired to coach a football/soccer (depending where you come from) team in England. He knows nothing about the sport (he’s an American Football coach) but keen to take on the new challenge.

On arriving in the morning straight off the plane at his new job, he meets his new boss, Rebecca Welton (the owner of AFC Richmond), in her office, and their first exchange goes as follows:

• Rebecca: Can I get you something to drink?
• Ted: Yes please! Didn’t get much sleep on the plane so anything you got, a little boost of caffeine should do the trick you know, mochachino, frappucino, any coffee-thing as long as I can taste a hint of coffee is good.
• Rebecca: How do you take your tea?
• Ted: Well usually I take it right back to the counter because someone’s made a horrible mistake, but, when in Rome, right?
• Ted sips the tea.
• Rebecca: Well?
• Ted: You know I always figured that tea was just going to taste like hot brown water. And you know what? I was right. Yeah it’s horrible. No thank you.
• Rebecca: Welcome to England.

THE LESSONS:

1. When asked a broad question, get to the point, and be clear on what it is that you need/desire, and why.
2. If the result is not quite what you’d originally had mind, don’t write it off immediately. Try it, test it, you may be surprised.
3. If the result, however, is completely off-point, let the person know this (in as constructive, candid way as possible) and move forward.

• Also, always remember: Critique the result, not the person.