A “Ted” Talk on Mental Health

"You should do a TED Talk, 'cause right now you're getting a whole heap of 'Ted Listen!'"

In need of some comfort-food TV, I’ve been doing a rewatch of TED LASSO, the Apple TV+ series that won hearts and minds during the pandemic. The optimistic comedy about a fish-out-of-water American football coach suddenly living in the UK and leading a struggling soccer team surprised everyone by being not only hilarious but filled with profound lessons on mental health in the workplace. While most equity discussions rightly focus on race and gender, mental health and accessibility are crucial ingredients (the Secret Sauce, if you will) in creating a thriving, inclusive workplace. Here are a few lessons this terrific show has given me again:

1. Create safe spaces

“You beating yourself up is like Woody Allen playing the clarinet. I don’t want to hear it,” declares Ted as he emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for everyone. The AFC Richmond football players are baffled at first by Ted’s chatty leadership style as he encourages open communication, empathy, and mutual respect. Our team at Breakfast Culture has seen organizations kept stagnant by toxic cultures that keep women feeling belittled, men stifling their own creativity, LGBTQ employees hiding in the closet, and too many employees enduring “Racial Battle Fatique” but by fostering a culture where team members feel truly valued and heard, Ted and his coaching team help illustrate how psychological safety can lead to increased engagement and performance. 

2. Lead with empathy

“I came clean to Ted. I told him everything…and you know what the little shit did? He forgave me.”Though he might come off as a buffoon at first, Ted’s leadership is rooted in empathy and forgiveness. He takes the time to understand his team members’ personal struggles and supports them on the field and beyond. His holistic approach is a powerful reminder that effective leadership involves caring for the person, not just their professional output, and he’s an interesting study in masculinity, succeeding where his players like the anger-managing Roy Kent and peacock-strutting Jamie Tartt often struggle.Our Human Capital & Culture Assessments help organizations identify areas where mental health support can be integrated into their professional development strategies, leading to more resilient and inclusive workplaces.

Ted really needs his therapist Sharon but maybe she needs him too

3. Discover the paradox of strength through vulnerability

“I promise you there is something worse out there than being sad,” Ted tells his players, “and that’s being alone and being sad. Ain’t nobody in this room alone.”

In the second season, Ted, the ever-optimistic coach, starts to face up to his own mental health challenges, unpacking the panic attacks he’s enduring with the help of a wry and patient therapist he initially distrusts. It’s a remarkable portrayal of the process as the show destigmatizes mental health issues, showing that vulnerability is not a weakness but a strength that soon sees Ted fostering greater trust and connection with his colleagues and players. I’ve tried to “Walk the Talk” myself in my Motivational Keynotes that have connected me to so many as we all face our own struggles. We’re never alone!

4. Face difficult truths

“It hurt…my…feeling,” says the gruff-but-loveable Roy Kent and Ted’s attempts to win over Richmond’s veteran player who hates him is classic comedy but also a master class in how faulty ideals of dominance hide the mental health issues that significantly impact performance, well-being and productivity. Once Roy starts to examine his own pain around aging out of football, he becomes exactly the player and mentor the team and his loved ones need, even if he resents Ted for making him talk about it. Like the coach, Breakfast Culture helps leaders navigate tensions in the workplace, with difficult conversations that create inclusive environments where all aspects of a team member’s identity, including their mental-health needs, are acknowledged and supported.

5. Focus on the ripple effect

"For me, success is not about the wins and losses. It's about helping these young fellas be the best versions of themselves on and off the field." 

Over its three smart, crowd-pleasing seasons, TED LASSO demonstrates the positive ripple effect that prioritizing mental health has on team dynamics and organizational success. When employees feel supported, they are more likely to collaborate effectively, innovate broadly, and commit solidly to their work. At Breakfast Culture, we believe that addressing mental health is not just a moral imperative but a strategic one. Benchmarking employee engagement and developing human capital are essential steps in our 360-degree Business Case and Strategy Development, addressing myriad workplace issues that include accessibility, neurodiversity, religion, anti-fat bias and other challenges to growth. This is how we customize the right solution for each client.​​​​ Just like AFC Richmond, organizations that embrace these principles get ready for success. 

Interested in learning more about how to integrate mental health and inclusivity into your workplace culture? Contact us at Breakfast Culture™ Inc. and take our Human Capital & Culture Assessment Readiness Quiz today. Let’s break some eggs!

~ Jefferson Darrell, Founder & CEO, Breakfast Culture™ Inc.

P.S. We are hosting a free webinar this Thursday, June 19 at 1pm EST in which organizations will learn WHAT DEI is and is not, WHY DEI is important, and HOW to properly implement DEI initiatives to meet organizations goals. Please pass the link around to anyone you think will benefit and I hope to see you there!

P.P.S. Download Breakfast Culture Inc.’s Capability Statement here:

https://bit.ly/BreakfastCultureCapabilities