“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud”
Maya Angelou
Song: You’ll Never Walk Alone by Marcus Mumford
Article: How to admit you’re wrong by Allie Volpe
Thought: Ted Lasso is such an incredible character. This post is based on a phrase he uses in that last episode of season 2. Nate is very angry with Ted and walks away to stew; Ted follows him and says “What have I got to learn here?” Here’s the clip.
Ted’s phrase is one of my soundtracks: What do I have to learn here? What I love so much about Ted’s response is that he doesn’t try and explain when confronted by Nate’s answer. He accepts the impact and immediately apologizes. There’s no moment of “but what I meant was…” or “If you feel hurt….”
I’ve stopped justifying what I meant to happen (intent). Instead, I focus on my impact by disarming completely. I throw off all the armor. I throw down my swords and daggers. I ask myself and others, “what do I have to learn here?” I apologize quickly. I ask how I can show up differently. I ask how I can make amends.
I hurt people with my actions and my words. Whether I mean to or not isn’t the point – their experience/feelings are what matters. I’m grateful for the people in my life who have been willing to give me the opportunity to make amends. I also understand those who have been too hurt to do so. I’d rather be the person who says “what do I have to learn here?” and stand for the answer then the person who is never wrong and friendless.
I wish we could all be a little more like Ted Lasso.