Curiosity #17 - Leadership is yoga
đ¤ Quotable quotes: âThe very heart of yoga practice is âabyhasaââsteady effort in the direction you want to go.â â Sally Kempton
We are clearly Ted Lasso geeks. We also love geeking out on all things leadership - from John Maxwell to Bob Burg and John David Mann to Brene Brown. (Ted might say - if youâve seen one definition of leadership, youâve seen⌠one definition of leadership.)
Some focus on influence, others on service and others on courage or vision. And then we had this thought⌠leadership is yoga (Roy Kent and friends would love it!)
4 ways leadership is like yoga:
1ď¸âŁ Stretch Beyond Your Comfort Zone â Growth happens when you lean into the uncomfortable moments. Ted sure did when he took on soccer (um, futball).
2ď¸âŁ Balance is Key â Leadership is a constant balancing act, like keeping Dani Rojasâ joy in the locker room while holding Jamie Tartt accountable.
3ď¸âŁ Stay Grounded â When chaos hits, breathe. Ted always finds a way to exhale (usually over biscuits or a dartboard or sometimes just being a goldfish).
4ď¸âŁ Keep Practicing â Thereâs no final whistle in leadership. Every day is an opportunity to lace up your boots and get back on the field - or pitch.
Ted Lasso taught us that leadership isnât about being perfectâitâs about showing up, doing the work, and making people feel believe-able. Just like yoga, itâs a practice. Youâre not trying to win; youâre trying to grow. No one gets first place in yoga class.
Hereâs the kicker: Leadership, like yoga, isnât about looking good. Itâs about building the kind of character that makes others want to follow you.
Whatâs your leadership âyoga poseâ right now? Are you working on balance? Stretching your limits? Or simply showing up on the pitch?
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Yoga Pose: The Downward Dog is awkward at first.
Leadership Move: Giving tough feedback or owning a mistake can feel just as awkward, but practice makes progress. -
Yoga Pose: The Tree Pose is all about balanceâlean too far one way, and down you go.
Leadership Move: Balancing empathy with accountability keeps you steady. Lean too far in either direction, and things can topple. -
Yoga Pose: The Childâs Pose reminds you itâs okay to rest.
Leadership Move: Rest isnât weakness. Itâs how you stay in the game for the long haul.
Leadership is just like yoga. Itâs not about nailing the perfect pose or always having your game face onânope, itâs about showing up, wobbling a bit (or a lot), and getting stronger every day. No one leaves a yoga class saying I came in first place! I won yoga!
Yoga is a practice. And leadership is a practice.
Take Action:
đĄ P.S. This is just one of the principles we explore in Lead It Like Lasso and our masterclass. If youâre ready to flex your leadership muscles and build a practice rooted in character, check out our book and course. The first step? Showing up.
More leadership musings
đŞ Biscuits with the Boss: Whatâs one activity you have tried to stretch outside your comfort zone?
Staying comfortable isn't going to promote growth. When's the last time you pushed yourself? Having this conversation with your team can generate conversations on ways to help push each other.
đ
Whistle. Whistle.:
Roy Kent would say: âYouâre not perfect. Stop trying to be. Do the work. Thatâs leadership.â
Tough love reminder: If youâre not willing to get uncomfortable, donât expect others to follow you. Stretch beyond your limits.
đBeardâs collection:
đ Coyle, Daniel. The Little Book of Talent: 52 Tips for Improving Your Skills. Bantam, 2012.
A practical guide filled with bite-sized strategies for building expertise, this book emphasizes that growth is about small, actionable steps. Itâs a fantastic resource for leaders looking to continuously improve their practice.
đ Colvin, Geoff. Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else. Portfolio, 2008.
This book challenges the idea of innate talent, arguing that deliberate practice is the key to success. Itâs a great reminder for leaders that mastery comes from focused, intentional effortâjust like yoga.
đ Lemov, Doug, Erica Woolway, and Katie Yezzi. Practice Perfect: 42 Rules for Getting Better at Getting Better. Jossey-Bass, 2012.
This book breaks down the science of deliberate practice and how small, intentional improvements lead to mastery. Leadership, like yoga, isnât about talentâitâs about commitment, repetition, and refining your approach over time. Whether youâre leading a team, coaching others, or growing in your own career, these 42 rules help turn everyday moments into opportunities for better leadership.
đ This week in Here - There - Every Fâing where
We want to give a huge shout out to the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas for having us come lead a workshop on how to Lead it Like Lasso. We met so many cool people! And wow - The Arkansas Way very much aligns with the values of Ted Lasso.
Until next weekâstay curious, stay resilient, and keep believing!
Marnie and Nick
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