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Curiosity #88 - What the Villains Teach Us

Jun 10, 2026
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🎤 Quotable quotes: “Character is revealed by what we admire and what we reject."

— Adapted from Warren Buffett

This week, the Ted Lasso community lost one of its own.

Anthony Head, the actor who brought Rupert Mannion to life, passed away at age 72. He was beloved by fans, castmates, and fellow actors alike, despite portraying one of the most disliked characters in Richmond.

And maybe that's exactly the point.

The better Anthony Head was at playing Rupert, the more we appreciated everyone who wasn't Rupert.


🏟 Why This Matters for You

One of the central themes of Lead It Like Lasso is that leadership is often learned through examples.

And sometimes through counter-examples.

Ted shows us what to do.

Rupert shows us what happens when we don't.

When Rupert humiliates people, Ted encourages them.

When Rupert seeks control, Higgins builds trust.

When Rupert measures success by winning, Ted measures success by growth.

The contrast matters.

Because leadership isn't just about identifying the qualities we want.

It's about recognizing the qualities we don't.


A Diamond Dogs Twist

Most of us have a Rupert somewhere in our story.

Maybe it was a boss.

A teacher.

A coach.

A colleague.

Someone who taught us exactly the kind of leader we never wanted to become.

And as strange as it sounds, those people can be some of our greatest teachers.

Not because they inspired us.

Because they clarified us.


 

🏁 Final Thought

Anthony Head's greatest accomplishment on Ted Lasso may have been making Rupert so believable.

Because every time Rupert appeared on screen, he reminded us why Ted mattered.

And that's a lesson worth remembering.

Sometimes the people who teach us the most are not the heroes of the story.

They're the reason we recognize one.


— Nick & Marnie
Your tea sipping, Diamond Dog debating, villain appreciating friends

 

More leadership musings


🍪 Biscuits with the Boss: 

Icebreaker time:

Who taught you more about leadership:

The best leader you ever worked for?

Or the worst?

Bonus question:

What leadership lesson did you learn from someone you'd never want to become?


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

We were so excited to chat again with Dr. Fonz about how finished (with school) doesn't mean ready (for life)! You can check out the podcast here.

Believe! 

Nick & Marnie

 


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