Software Leadership - The Ted Lasso Way

What can software engineering leaders learn from *Ted Lasso*? In this episode of *Dan on Dev*, I unpack why true leadership means **actively encouraging dissenting ideas**, cultivating psychological safety, and drawing out innovation from **every corner of your team**—even the quietest voices.

Using a pivotal scene from *Ted Lasso*, we explore how humility, support, and curiosity can transform team culture—and why a leader’s job is not just to lead, but to listen and lift.

🔍 **What you'll learn in this episode:**
- Why disagreement is a sign of a healthy, innovative team
- The danger of implicit discouragement and unspoken silence
- How to create space for new ideas—even from your “kit man”
- What it means to lead like Ted Lasso: with humility, encouragement, and trust
- How to draw out and empower introverted team members to shine

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⏱️ **Chapters:**
1. 00:00 – Great teams challenge each other
2. 00:51 – Innovation requires idea flow from every level
3. 02:20 – Encouraging ideas vs. silently discouraging them
4. 03:30 – Why dissenters often leave if unheard
5. 04:30 – Spotting subtle idea-sharing moments
6. 05:00 – Ted Lasso as a leadership model
7. 06:00 – Drawing out quiet contributors (Nate’s example)
8. 07:45 – Turning hesitation into confidence
9. 08:30 – Execution, feedback loops & real leadership
10. 09:20 – Wrap-up: lead by listening

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🌐 **More Content & Resources**
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