🎤 Quotable quotes: “I realized that they were underestimating me. But it ain't about me. It's about them.”
—Ted

🎓  What Would Ted Lasso Say to the Class of 2025?

Well howdy there, graduates! Or any folks sitting in the audience (aka staring at your inbox)

If we had to guess what Coach Ted Lasso would say at your graduation, it probably wouldn’t start with a Latin phrase or a quote from a Nobel Prize winner. It would start with a story about biscuits. Or darts. Or his favorite barbecue joint back in Kansas.

But here’s the thing—he’d still stick the landing.

Because Ted’s gift isn’t sounding smart. It’s making you feel smart, capable, and worthy. So in honor of the Class of 2025, here are four lessons from Coach Lasso himself—because if life’s a pitch, you might as well play your game.

🎈 1. Be curious, not judgmental.
This one’s a classic for a reason. Ask more questions. Assume less. Your diploma doesn’t mean you know everything—it just means you know how to learn. That’s your real superpower. Use it. Often.

“I realized that they're underestimating me. But it ain't about me. It's about them.”
—Ted

📚 2. Everyone’s a work in progress (ahem, prog-mess).
Even Roy Kent. Even you.
You don’t have to have your life figured out. In fact, if you do think you have it figured out, give it a week. The job you want may not exist yet. The person you are? They’re still becoming.

“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.”
—Ted

🪩 3. Kindness is a strategy, not a weakness.
The world will tempt you to be clever. Or ruthless. Or loud. Choose kindness anyway. It’ll confuse people—and that’s just the opening you need to lead with love and surprise them with strength.

“I believe in hope. I believe in Believe.”
—Ted

🚪 4. Don’t knock. Just walk through.
Ted walked into a locker room where no one wanted him. He stayed anyway. He led anyway. Sometimes, the door you’re waiting for is already open—you just need to walk in like you belong there.

“You know what the happiest animal on Earth is? It’s a goldfish. You know why? Got a 10-second memory.”
—Ted

—

🎤 5. Bonus wisdom from our own Coach Marnie
Our very own Marnie gave the graduation address at her local high school (And snuck in 8 Ted Lassoisms) You can check it out here:

So go out there, Class of 2025.

Be a goldfish. Be a leader. Be a little weird.

And remember—whether you’re stepping onto a stage or just into your first job, the best thing you can do is show up with heart.

We believe in you. (We really do.)

More leadership musings

🍪 Biscuits with the Boss: 

If you were graduating today, how would you decorate your mortarboard?

Given less than a square foot of space, the answers to this will tell you where folks heart belongs. Ted would certainly have Henry on there - but also Beard and his Diamond Dogs (and no tea or fizzy water).

🏅Whistle. Whistle. A little Roy Kent Tough Love Advice:

“You just graduated. Congratulations. Now stop whining about how hard life is. Of course it’s hard. It’s supposed to be.”

Here’s the thing, sunshine. The world doesn’t owe you clarity, comfort, or a job with beanbags and kombucha on tap. You’ve got to earn your place. Every day.

You're gonna be tempted to wait until you feel “ready.”
Until you’ve got it all figured out.
Until you know exactly who you are.

Too late. You’re already you. Get movin’.

📚Beard’s collection:

Totally shameless plug on our part - but so many folks have told us that they are giving this as a graduation gift, that we are terribly flattered. Here's the link if you have grads on your list.

“Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”... But First, the Places You’ll Trip, Doubt Yourself, and Eat Lunch Alone

If Dr. Seuss had met Ted Lasso, they’d agree on this:
🎓 Life is a beautiful mess.
📦 The instructions are missing.
🛠️ And no one really knows what they’re doing—but the kind ones figure it out together.

Oh, the Places You’ll Go! is the graduation classic we all think we remember—balloons, mountains, triumph. But go back and read it. It’s not just sunshine and confetti. It’s a warning in rhyme:

• You’ll be on your own.

• You’ll get stuck.

• You’ll be lonely.

• You’ll doubt.

• You’ll wait.

• You’ll mess up.

• You’ll go anyway.

The brilliance of this book isn’t in its optimism—
it’s in its honesty.

It says: “You will succeed. (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)”

🌎 This week in Here - There - Every F’ing where 

If you are a follower of Medium, you might have seen our faces. Authority Magazine published and article on the Hidden Superpowers of Great Leaders. Check it out here.

Happy day!

Nick & Marnie