If you have never watched “Ted Lasso,” Google it. Seriously. Then come back.
For those who have seen it, you know exactly why I keep coming back to it. Ted Lasso is the kind of coach every business owner should aspire to be. He leads with belief and builds people up. He keeps his eye on the bigger picture even when everything around him is falling apart.
As a “Ted Lasso” fan, I see similarities between his coaching style and mine. I’ll share some of the business tips I’ve picked up over 35 years of building, growing, and, yes, sometimes failing in business, with a bit of Ted’s style woven in.
Be the Coach, Not the Player
This is Tip #1 – Be the coach, not the player. Believe me, it trips up almost every small business owner I work with.
When you started your business, you were doing everything. The client work, the admin, the invoicing, the social media. All of it.
You need to stop being the player on your team and start being the coach of the team. That means stepping back from the day-to-day grind and working ON your business instead of IN it.
Build a team that supports your vision, whether that's employees, subcontractors, coaches, or mentors. You don't need everyone on day one. You just need to start planning for it now.
Belief Is Your Biggest Business Skill
Ted Lasso hung a "Believe" sign in the locker room. Cheesy? Maybe. True? Absolutely.
Tip #2 - Belief in yourself and your team is everything. Before you can sell anything, build anything, or lead anyone, you have to truly believe that what you're doing matters.
I've seen business owners who are technically excellent at what they do, but they stay stuck. They don’t believe in themselves, and that lack of belief shows up everywhere – in how they price, how they show up, and how they lead.
Belief is also what makes a credible salesperson. You don't need to be pushy or scripted. If you genuinely believe in your product or service, that comes through. People feel it.
Three Habits of Business Owners Who Win
Over the years, I've noticed that the small business owners who keep growing consistently make sure to do these things (which we’ll call Tips #3, #4, and #5):
- They take intentional, consistent daily action toward their goals
- They know their numbers and don't look the other way
- They surround themselves with the right people
I want to highlight how impactful knowing your numbers is. Early in my sign company, my accountant fired me from doing my own books. He was right to do it.
Ignoring your finances, or just plain drowning in them, feels comfortable in the moment, but it's a ticking time bomb. Those cash flow problems hit you all at once.
And, of course, surrounding yourself with the right people is something I will never stop preaching. Ted Lasso does it. You need to do it.
Entrepreneurship can be incredibly lonely. You need people around you who get it, who can challenge you and support you when things get hard.
A Team Can Elevate You
My final tip: business owners don’t win alone.
If you're ready to stop spinning your wheels and start leading your business with confidence, I invite you to check out the ONtrepreneur Inner Circle. It's a community built for entrepreneurs just like you who want to grow.
Find out more here: https://marshallstern.net/page/ontrepreneur-inner-circle
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