In the spirit of summer “beach reads”, our next few MOC columns will be dedicated to sharing “Lessons from Lasso”. These are examples from the series Ted Lasso that resonated with me as I watched the episodes unfold — and which are also applicable to our own experiences in the groups and teams with which we engage.

Consider this a possible spoiler alert — but I have tried not to give too much of the plot away in case you haven’t yet watched the series.

The first lesson: bake cookies for your boss, or, in other words, share your authentic self.

One memorable scene involves Ted baking cookies and delivering them to Rebecca Welton, the initially antagonistic owner of AFC Richmond soccer club.

Ted has a special family recipe that he uses every weekend to bake cookies. He then delivers these in a small pink box to his boss on Monday morning.

Rebecca is at first taken aback by this gesture, but Ted persists in faithfully delivering these cookies every week.

Rebecca can’t resist and first tries the cookies in secret — they are so good she begins to openly look forward to the weekly delivery and to sharing her appreciation of them with Ted.

Ted recognises early on the value of sharing things that are important to him with his new boss — whether it is this special cookie recipe or his coaching philosophy.

The exchange of cookies between Ted and Rebecca marks the beginning of a mutually beneficial partnership.

For many reasons, these cookies enable the of building trust and collaboration. As their relationship evolves, Rebecca begins to believe in Ted and to appreciate his leadership style.

This belief lays the foundation for collaboration and shared vision, which are vital for any team's success. Authentic leaders build trust with their team, allowing for open dialogue, idea sharing and fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and heard.

Ted’s delivery of the cookies goes beyond sharing a favourite recipe. The gesture also signals to Rebecca that he cares about helping her find a positive start to the week.

He recognises that she is going through a challenging time, dealing with the pressures of owning a football club and a recent divorce.

By offering a thoughtful gesture, Ted shows that he understands her struggles and is there to support her emotionally. This is an example of empathy in action — leaders who connect with their colleagues and team members on a personal level.

Ted's willingness to bake cookies and to reach out to Rebecca despite her previous antagonism also highlights the value of not giving up on developing connections and relationships.

By continuing to offer support through a simple act of kindness — without asking for anything in exchange — Ted creates a safe space for Rebecca to share, leading to a deeper and more authentic relationship between them.

Ted chose to be vulnerable by initiating this exchange with Rebecca without knowing how it would be received – and he didn’t give up, despite Rebecca’s early reticence.

Ted's cookies are also a catalyst for allowing open dialogue with Rebecca, through which he also demonstrates his care and dependability.

These interactions include genuine conversations and moments of understanding. The act of making cookies may be viewed as a metaphor for fostering meaningful conversations – leaders who communicate openly and honestly with their team encourage an environment of trust and transparency.

Ted’s gesture of making cookies and delivering them to Rebecca goes beyond a simple friendly gesture; it symbolises the essence of authenticity – which Ted also brings into the AFC Richmond locker room.

By demonstrating the characteristics of empathy, vulnerability, genuine connection, impactful communication, inspiring by example and building trust, Ted demonstrates the core elements of authentic leadership.

His approach proves that leadership is not solely about authority and power. It is also about caring for others, understanding their struggles, and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

By embracing these principles, leaders and team members will also benefit from the lessons gained from Ted Lasso's cookies.

This in turn will foster positive transformation within organisations, fostering team success through the power of authenticity.

• For additional information please contact gayle@clarity.bm