By Jacqueline Pitter, Senior Strategic Consultant, Vantage Technology Consulting Group
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
When you think of IT leadership, you might not immediately think of a goofy football coach from Kansas with a big mustache. But if Ted Lasso–the goofy coach from the sports-comedy sitcom of the same name–has taught us anything, it’s that effective leadership can come from surprising places. You just need the right frame of mind.
In the upcoming 2025 Internet2 Community Exchange session, The Lasso Way: Leadership Lessons from Ted Lasso, we’ll explore how IT leaders in research and education (R&E) institutions can adopt Ted’s unconventional leadership approach to build effective, resilient teams — even in the face of what many institutions are up against right now, including limited resources and outdated technology.
We’ll break down how to create a positive, non-toxic culture. We’ll talk about the art of leading when you’re not the subject-matter expert, fostering a growth mindset, and how ethical leadership can make or break a team’s success.
Expect humor, relatable scenarios, and tangible takeaways that you can apply immediately.
Expect to learn:
- How to build effective teams from the ground up without an established playbook
- How to lay a foundation rooted in trust, collaboration, and accountability, whether you inherit a team with little institutional knowledge
- How to turn a group of eclectic talent into unwavering team players, drawing on examples from the show and applying them to IT leadership in R&E
- How to truly lead with empathy and intention
If you’re looking for leadership strategies that go beyond traditional corporate wisdom and bring a fresh, human-centric perspective, this session is for you.
As Ted himself would say, “Taking on a challenge is a lot like riding a horse, isn’t it? If you’re comfortable while you’re doing it, you’re probably doing it wrong.” Let’s embrace the challenge together!
The Lasso Way: IT Leadership with Heart takes place on Tuesday, April 29, from 2:40 to 3:30 p.m. PT at the 2025 Internet2 Community Exchange.
Check out this session and other related presentations in the Security Concerns, Collaborations, and Solutions Track, highlighting data, network, and identity-related security concerns for the global R&E environment, at the 2025 Internet2 Community Exchange held April 28-May 1 in Anaheim, Calif.
Visit the CommEX25 website to learn more about the event and register, and be sure to check out our “Shaping an Unmissable CommEX25” series for insight from the leaders behind this year’s program.