Lead It Like Lasso

How to Be 123.78% Better in 2025 (Without Breaking a Sweat—Well, Maybe a Little) Did you know that if you get 1% better every day for a year, you’ll end up 37 times better than where you started? Thanks, James Clear —no pressure. But what if we went bigger? What if we stacked all the personal growth hacks, motivational math, and self-improvement formulas out there? Could we reach 123% better in 2025? Let’s crunch the numbers: The Math of Self-Improvement: A 2025 Growth Plan Start 1% Better Each Day – James Clear’s Atomic HabitsCompounding improvement = 37.78x better after 365 days. Confidence boost? Priceless. Get 10% Happier – Dan Harris's Mindfulness Shortcut Meditate your way to fewer meltdowns and slightly better dinner table conversations. Read 52 Books a Year – The “One Book a Week” Hustle Allegedly makes you 4.6x more employable clearly upping you by 28%. (We didn’t fact-check this, but it sounds convincing.) Sleep 7+ Hours – Matthew Walker, PhD Sleep Revolution Being well-rested can make you 20% more productive—or 100% less likely to send regrettable emails. Add a 3% Productivity Boost – Thanks to the Pomodoro Timer Method Work smarter, not longer. Bonus: more time to overthink your New Year’s goals. Smile More – The 2% Smarter Strategy Studies say people who smile are perceived as 2% smarter. Even if it’s just because they remembered to floss. Workout 3x Per Week – Endorphins for the Win Improves focus by 23% and justifies your next donut. Final Calculation: Are We Really 123% Better? If we add up these percentages, we’ve clearly cracked the code on becoming 123% better in 2025—give or take a few decimal points (and missed workouts). But the truth? Progress isn’t always linear—or mathematical. Real growth comes from showing up, doing the work, and laughing at yourself when you don’t quite hit 123%. So here’s to imperfect progress and aiming to be at least 1% better than yesterday—because let’s face it, 100% better sounds exhausting. What "tiny habit" are you starting in 2025? How about our masterclass in how to Lead It Like Lasso? Check out the details here: https://lnkd.in/eeeczc76 #personaldevelopment #personalleadership #leadership

"Ted Lasso showed us that even leaders struggle. But how do YOU handle anxiety while leading others?" 😰➡️💪 Special guest Dan Ayer of Oyster Creative Co. shares his deeply personal story of battling anxiety and depression—and how owning his struggles made him a better leader. Key takeaways: 💡 Mental health doesn’t define your success. 💡 Vulnerability can build stronger teams. 💡 Leaders need support systems too. 🎧 Tune in for a conversation about leadership, mental health, and showing up as your authentic self. https://lnkd.in/ebc3CHMt 📣 Tag someone who inspires you to lead with courage!

It's 2025 - no excuses! Let the binge-watching begin! Apple TV+ is free this weekend :) #tedlasso #leaditlikelasso #tellafriend

NEW PODCAST EPISODE DROPPED! "Are you a leader who avoids tough or personal conversations at work? Or do you tackle them head-on like Higgins in Ted Lasso?" 🦸♂️ In our latest Lens of Leadership podcast, we break down The Signal and talk with Dan Ayer of Oyster Creative Co. about: ✅ When (and how) to address personal issues at work. ✅ What Higgins gets right—and wrong—in his awkward chat with Beard. ✅ Building trust without crossing boundaries. 🎧 Listen in to the full episode for tips on leading with empathy AND accountability! https://lnkd.in/ebc3CHMt 📣 Tag a leader who’s great at having tough conversations! 👇 #difficultconversations #leadership #tedlasso #leaditlikelasso

As we wave goodbye to 2024 (and hope it doesn’t attempt a surprise encore), we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the whirlwind of the past year—and to say a heartfelt thank you. You, our readers, have been the Ted to our team, the Keeley to our creativity, and the Beard to our strategy (yes, this metaphor works—we’ve thought it through). First, let’s address the two most common questions we’ve been asked this year: 1. What the heck is Lead It Like Lasso? 2. How did you write it? For the first question, we like to borrow a bit from our pal Simon Sinek (we’re big fans, though he doesn’t know it yet—Simon, call us!). The why behind the book is simple: "We believe that leadership isn’t a title you’re given—it’s a mindset you build. Our mission is to help people stop feeling stuck and start leading themselves with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Through reflection, growth, and connection, we challenge people to do the work—to know who they are, where they’re going, and how to get there—so they can show up as the best version of themselves and empower others to do the same." In short: it’s about leadership, but make it personal (and maybe with biscuits). As for how we wrote it? With lots of late nights, tea (sorry Ted), and conversations that probably started with, “Okay, hear me out…” Reflecting on 2024 When we released Lead It Like Lasso in late 2023, we had no idea where it might lead. We believed in our message, took a leap, and hoped someone (anyone!) would resonate with it. And you did. Oh boy, did you ever. We’ve had the privilege of meeting really cool people along the way—connecting with readers, listeners, and organizations who are as passionate about leadership and growth as we are. We launched two podcasts (Lens of Leadership and Leadership Rules), appeared on countless others, made our way to TV screens, and presented to dozens of organizations. (Words are hard for us sometimes, but apparently, we found enough to keep the conversations going!) A Huge Thank You We wouldn’t be here without you. Honestly, if there were a follower Hall of Fame, you’d all be in it (probably wearing Ted-inspired tracksuits and holding tiny trophies that say “World’s Best Learner”). You’ve supported us, cheered us on, and helped spread the message of Lead It Like Lasso far beyond what we could have imagined. We’re grateful for your curiosity, your feedback, and the way you’ve channeled the spirit of the characters we all adore. (If you’ve ever written us an email with “Believe” in the subject line, know that you made our day. Truly.) Looking Ahead to 2025 As students of leadership, we’re always learning, growing, and refining—and we can’t wait to see where 2025 takes us. But we’re not doing it alone. Your input, ideas, and stories are what make this community so special, and we’d love to hear from you. Here’s to another year of curiosity, connection, and leading with purpose (and maybe even a few biscuits). Gratefully yours, Nick & Marnie

🎤 Quotable quotes: "The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away." – Pablo Picasso #TedLasso was a gift to us all. Did you unwrap all of these?   1. The Gift of Curiosity Lesson: Approach every situation with curiosity, not judgment. Action: Ask one “why” question in your next conversation to learn something deeper about the other person. Reflect: When was the last time curiosity helped you connect with someone or solve a problem? 2. The Gift of Optimism Lesson: See setbacks as setups for comebacks. Action: Write down one recent failure and list three positive lessons or opportunities that came from it. Reflect: How can you reframe your biggest challenge today into an opportunity? 3. The Gift of Empathy Lesson: Walk in someone else’s shoes before making assumptions. Action: Practice active listening—repeat back what someone says before sharing your response. Reflect: How can you better understand someone else’s perspective this week? 4. The Gift of Belief Lesson: Believe in yourself—and others—even when the odds seem impossible. Action: Send a quick note of encouragement to someone who needs it. Reflect: Who’s believed in you during tough times, and how did it impact you? 5. The Gift of Playfulness Lesson: Don’t take yourself too seriously—humor builds connections and resilience. Action: Plan one fun activity this week (even if it’s just a silly icebreaker in a meeting). Reflect: How can humor help you lead more effectively? 6. The Gift of Forgiveness Lesson: Let go of grudges so you can grow. Action: Write down one grudge you’re holding onto and what it’s costing you. Then, choose one step toward letting it go. Reflect: What would change if you fully forgave someone—or yourself—today? 7. The Gift of Resilience Lesson: Get back up, no matter how many times you get knocked down. Action: Journal about a time you overcame a tough situation and what helped you push through. Reflect: How can you build more resilience for future challenges? 8. The Gift of Vulnerability Lesson: Strength comes from showing your authentic self. Action: Share something you’re struggling with (professionally or personally) with a trusted person this week. Reflect: How can vulnerability help you build stronger relationships? 9. The Gift of Teamwork Lesson: Success is about lifting others up, not going it alone. Action: Offer specific praise to a teammate for their contribution on a recent project. Reflect: How can you show more appreciation to your team? 10. The Gift of Gratitude Lesson: Focus on what’s going right instead of what’s going wrong. Action: Write down three things you’re grateful for every morning this week. Reflect: How does gratitude shift your mindset and impact those around you? https://lnkd.in/efRYE8U2

Happy Holidays!

Ahhhhh... The Dark Forest of Leadership If there’s one thing Ted Lasso teaches us (besides the importance of biscuits and hope), it’s that life is a story—and sometimes, you find yourself smack dab in the middle of your dark forest. You know the one: the part of the story where nothing’s going right, everything’s hard, and it feels like you’ve misplaced the map. But here’s the kicker (pun intended): "Fairytales do not start, nor do they end, in the dark forest. That’s something that only shows up smack dab in the middle of a story. But it will all work out." Let’s pause for a moment because that’s a truth bomb wrapped in a warm blanket of optimism. Whether you’re leading a team, managing a project, or just trying to make it through your Tuesday, the dark forest isn’t the end of the story. It’s just the messy, necessary middle. (And trust us—every leader has been there. Some of us live there for a while.) Ted goes on to say: "It may not work out how you think it will, or how you hope it does, but believe me, it will all work out. Exactly as it's supposed to." Ah, the old “let go of expectations” trick. Easier said than done, right? (We know—Marnie has tried letting go of expectations about Nick's mood on Mondays after a NY Jets game) But when you stop clinging to a rigid outcome, you make space for creativity, growth, and solutions that surprise you. Leadership Takeaway: Making Peace with the Messy Middle Here’s the thing about the dark forest: it’s where the good stuff happens (even if it doesn’t feel good at the time). You discover what you’re made of. You get scrappy. You learn to laugh at the absurdity of it all. Most importantly, you build resilience—and let’s be clear: resilience isn’t something you’re born with. It’s a muscle. And like any muscle, it gets stronger the more you use it. So, what can you do when you or your team are slogging through the forest? Here are some ideas: Call it out (but keep it light): Sometimes, saying “Welp, we’re in the dark forest, folks!” makes it less scary. Tackle it step by step: Don’t worry about the whole forest—just focus on finding the next breadcrumb. Celebrate the tiny wins: Did you survive Monday? Boom. Win. Celebrate that. Practice resilience: Think of each challenge as a rep in your “resilience gym.” It’s not fun (burpees never are), but it’s how you grow stronger for the next big adventure. Remember: this too shall pass: Like Ted says, “It will all work out.” (And hey, even if it doesn’t go as planned, you’ll have a great story later.) Love #leadership lessons from #tedlasso? Subscribe to our newsletter here :) https://lnkd.in/eBvQS2D5

What can Ted Lasso teach us about finding confidence, pivoting to align with our passions, and embracing authenticity? Join Marnie and Nick as they dive deep into Rainbow (Season Two, Episode Five) alongside special guest Erin King, an educator and founder of Inspired Education. Here’s what we explore: - Nate’s journey toward confidence and the fine line between assertiveness and arrogance. - Roy Kent’s pivot from punditry to coaching and the role of mentorship in unlocking potential. - Isaac’s rediscovery of joy and its connection to performing at our best. - The power of building an authentic personal brand. Erin also shares how her work empowers educators to lead authentically and rediscover their passion for teaching. Packed with relatable leadership insights and thoughtful discussion, this episode is perfect for fans of Ted Lasso and leadership lessons alike. #tedlasso #leadership #teacherspeprally #leaditlikelasso https://lnkd.in/griNzTje

🎤 Quotable quote: "Change isn't just a goal, it's a responsibility." – LeiLani E. Quiray We were super lucky to get to chat with LeiLani on our leadership rules podcast. Well worth the listen! She left us inspired. Here are some of the questions we unpacked (be sure to listen to the podcast for her in-depth insights): 🔍 How can a community focus can help a business? 🔍 What are the most important skills someone should focus on in regards to job readiness? 🔍 Small businesses have folks with expertise in a single area and are promoted to leadership so they find themselves to be accidental leaders. Do you have any suggestions for them? 🔍 When SMBs hire, they often train for functional expertise as opposed to developing soft skills (character skills, leadership traits). First, do you agree? 🔍 🔍 And if so…what are some of the soft skills that you see SMBs need to prioritize? 🔍 As a leader who merges HR expertise with social impact, what future trends do you predict or hope to see in leadership development? 🔍 For folks just entering the job market, what trends are you seeing? Or do you have advice for those folks? 🔍 What one leadership rule do you lean on for your company (or maybe you personally)? Take five minutes today to reflect on one of these questions. For extra engagement, consider how these insights could be applied in your own leadership journey or organizational practices. https://lnkd.in/dmZZhsDT