Communication lessons from Ted Lasso

It’s back, it’s back! The mild mannered, moustachioed man, Ted Lasso, is here and it’s crammed with terrific communication skills lessons. Like these four gems…

**spoiler alert, go watch episode 1 of season 3 and then come back**

First up, there was some amazing stuff out of the mouths of babes.

Two of the youngest characters in the show gave a refreshing and honest approach to managing tough conversations.

Phoebe, Roy’s niece, is given chocolate ice cream before dinner.

Canny and shrewd like her uncle, she says that whatever she’s about to be told can’t be good given the sweet treat.

Then when Roy and Keeley tell her they’ve broken up, she asks thoughtful questions.

Big questions.

Like ‘“Exactly why have you broken up?”

And calmly accepts the answers that she’s given.

Later, whilst alone with her uncle, she asks permission to use a bad word before she gives him feedback.

He agrees.

And in a measured tone, she tells him that she thinks he’s stupid.

Communication lessons:

1) Ask questions to broaden your understanding.

2) Soften the ground for giving feedback by asking if it’s okay to share feedback.

Then Henry, Ted’s young son, shows that kindness is the way forward.

Even when we might not feel like it is.

A Lego set shows the coaching leadership team at the club and yet Nate, former coach, is off to the side.

“Why is Nate over there?” asks Henry. 

“Well, he’s no longer with the club” replies Ted.

“But that doesn’t mean he’s no longer our friend” says Henry.

And Ted moves Lego Nate back to the line up beside the coaching team.

Communication lesson:

3) Never lose sight of the big picture in life.

Which takes us to one of Ted’s most magical moments of communication. 

Being asked at a press conference if he has a reply to Nate’s nasty comments about him and the team.

And there’s a huge pause.

For dramatic effect.

And to add a bit of spice.

For we know Ted’s likely to say that he’s just ordered Nate a huge hamper of goodies to say congrats for Nate’s new manager role.

What does Ted do?

He lavishes praise on Nate.

And speaks him up.

Rather than use trash talk to take him down.

Communication lesson:

4) Grace under fire is a huge asset. 

And as a former first lady said, who’s not appeared in the show.

Yet.

“When they go low, we go high.”

Are you a Ted Lasso fan?

What communication lessons did you spot?

How can his use of language inspire you?