The season 3 premiere of Ted Lasso featured an important reminder to me about kindness–in general, but also specifically professional kindness in the face of adversity.
In any line of work, including the board game industry, there are times when someone may attack you, insult you, or hate on something you worked hard to create. Sometimes there is truth to what is said; sometimes it’s a misunderstanding or an outright fabrication. And many times it’s just a subjective opinion–people like and dislike different things.
When this happens, I think there’s an element of human instinct that drives us to react and respond. I’ve certainly succumbed to that instinct myself, whether it’s out of insecurity, pride, or ego. I also really struggle to understand why someone would spend their time hurting and denigrating when they could spend their time helping and uplifting.
This is why I’m glad Ted Lasso exists as a reminder that there’s another approach to lashing back. In yesterday’s episode, another coach insults Ted and his team in a press conference. Ted’s boss–convinced that he looks weak and meek–insists that he attack back. Instead, Ted takes the mic to compliment the coach and wish him the best in the upcoming season.
While Ted is a fictional character, he’s written as a flawed human being (just like the rest of us). There’s no doubt that the other coach’s words hurt him, especially given how much Ted cares about his team and even the opposing coach. But despite that hurt, Ted chooses kindness and grace as his response. It comes across as anything but weak or meek.
Ted also could have taken the approach of saying nothing at all (which is always an option, one not taken nearly enough) or to reply with just the facts (which doesn’t really apply to his situation but may apply to yours).
This post truly isn’t a passive-aggressive response to anyone in particular–in fact, it comes at a time when things are relatively quiet over here at Stonemaier Games. :) It just struck me as a great reminder for me and for you.
Has any show or movie recently inspired you professionally or personally?
Also, before I go, I wanted to mention that yesterday the Green Games Guide was release, a project that involved a number of volunteers from around the world, including a contributor from our manufacturer (Panda Game Manufacturing). Its goal is to help publishers understand their options for more eco-friendly game production. I really appreciate their commitment to sustainability and for the time they spent creating this guide to benefit others in the industry.
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17 Comments on “Ted Lasso’s Enduring Reminder About Kindness”
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Thanks for sharing the Green Games Guide, it was an interesting read! I liked how it was designed with multiple audiences in mind, with steps for manufacturers, publishers, retailers, designers, and players. Really helps to emphasize that we’re all in this together if we want to see a positive change. It brings to mind the endless stretch goals and plastic-mini upgrades in Kickstarter campaigns, and how much of that we really need when “less is more”. We, as players and consumers, have a role to play too.
Absolutely incredible entry here. In just this post alone, I got a great measure of your character. Professionalism only helps an industry. Combine professionalism with positivity and things can prosper. The long vision has eyes on kindness and cooperation. Sometimes it’s so long, it feels eternal, but it’s there. I see it now thanks to this post.
I really like this, Bryan: “The long vision has eyes on kindness and cooperation.”
Not just this lifetime, but well beyond too :P Thank you for commenting! Incredible. I’m a fan now.
Your post reminded of Everything Everywhere All at Once. The several versions of Waymond make a point about kindness not being a weakness, but a style of fighting and a way to survive. And I strongly agree that we have to be kind, specially when we don’t know what’s going on.
That’s a brilliant comparison! I really look forward to watching that movie again.
I’m almost scared to watch this season of Ted Lasso because I like him so much but plots need drama and I don’t want anything bad to happen to him 😰😅😅
I love his characters refreshing positivity and graciousness.
I can relate to that. I’m very much hoping the show gives him a happy ending.
As always, a class act, Jamey!
Thanks David!
That’s a great reminder, Jamey. I’m a staunch believer in the phrase “you attract more bees with honey than vinegar” and have worked hard to apply that as much as possible in my life. There’s another saying this reminds me of that we put on the wall in our kids’ bathroom as a daily reminder to them – “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference” which is another guiding principle in my life. A positive, kind attitude (like Ted’s) is likely to have a more positive impact on his team’s success than a negative attitude.
“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference”. I like that, Jason!
Also, Nate (the coach) was totally derailed as that was not the response he was expecting and couldn’t really make another nasty comment back in a reply.
That’s true! Kindness can derail what could otherwise rapidly spiral into a truly hurtful, damaging exchange.
Thanks for writing this Jamie. Made my day.
My pleasure, Russ!