WE ALL NEED A COACH
Having a great coach is a powerful thing. Great coaches inspire us to be better. They challenge us in the areas where we aren’t living up to our potential, and they remind us of the kind of people and performers we’re capable of becoming. That term, “coach,” originated in Europe to describe carriages that transported people from one location to another. In a sense, that’s exactly what coaches do for us. They help move us from where we are to someplace else - someplace better, someplace we weren’t capable of going ourselves. In that sense, we all need a coach. They play an important part in helping us become our best.
Of course, not all coaches are good coaches. Maybe you’ve experienced a few in your own life that didn’t move you closer to your champion self. If anything, maybe you felt like they moved you farther from it. Coaching is hard, and unfortunately great coaches are rare. That’s why when we recognize that unique ability, we hold them in such high regard.
That point’s been proven in recent weeks by praise we’ve seen given to America’s new favorite coach. I’m talking of course about Ted Lasso, the fictional lead character of the popular Apple TV series by the same name. If you haven’t seen it yet, I won’t ruin it for you here, but the premise is pretty simple. Played by comedian Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso is a kind-hearted, small-college American football coach who is unexpectedly hired to lead the struggling English Premier League soccer club, AFC Richmond.
Not only has he never coached soccer, he knows almost nothing about the game...which is exactly why the club’s new owner, Rebecca Welton, hired him. She received ownership of Richmond as part of her divorce settlement, and ruining the team - her philandering ex-husband’s pride and joy - is her only objective. She’s confident sticking this unknown, aw-shucks American nice guy in charge will do the trick.
But Ted Lasso is a great coach, and - despite his seemingly impossible situation - he instantly gets to work doing what great coaches do. He cultivates a culture of kindness and respect. He gets to know his players on a personal level and starts uncovering what makes them tick. He faces the challenges of his new job with positivity and hope. He emphasizes teamwork and celebrates sacrifice over selfishness. He empowers those around him to step up, take responsibility, and make a difference. He makes playing the game meaningful and fun. As the series progresses, you see Ted Lasso slowly and gradually taking his players from where they were to someplace else - someplace better, someplace they weren’t capable of going themselves.
Interestingly, some of the most positive responses to the TV series have come from coaches themselves. A recent article in The Wall Street Journal titled, “Why Real Life Coaches Want to Be Ted Lasso,” explains how the “unexpected hit TV show has become ‘required watching’ for coaches.” It’s challenged those in the profession - people like me - to take a deeper look at what they do as a coach and why.
I’ve found myself reflecting on the experience I’ve created for my players. How effectively have I cultivated a culture of kindness and respect? How well have I gotten to know my players on a personal level and how hard have I worked to uncover what makes them tick? How positively and hopefully do I approach my challenges? How am I empowering those around me, and how have I made this experience meaningful and fun? Those are questions all of us in coaching would be well-served to ask.
It’s true, we all need a coach. Believe it or not, even coaches need a coach, and in some ways that’s what Ted Lasso has been for many in this profession. He’s inspired us to be better. He’s challenged us in some areas where we aren’t living up to our potential, and he’s reminded us of the kind of people and performers we’re capable of becoming. When a coach has that kind of influence, they deserve our appreciation. So thanks, Ted Lasso. You are just the coach some of us needed.