Trying to create sustainable impact is difficult as an impact making founder or talent while trying to break into the scene, let alone without a community to support you.
"There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about".
What do you and your community stand for? How can we help you get there?
Here are some amazing takeaways about community that we have learnt from watching Ted Lasso. #wearerichmond
minor Ted Lasso spoilers ahead!
#1 It helps to align everyone to something
We all need a common goal to believe in and focus on together. What is your community's North Star? For Richmond, their North Star is to Believe.
How does that transform the way we work with one another? Back then when we were working on our platform's Early Access phase, our North Star was to gather x amount of email sign ups while addressing specific pain points of founders and talents in the sustainability space.
#2 “Be curious, not judgmental”
No one has it all figured out. We are surrounded by people who have strengths that we never knew existed and are untapped. We need to ask the right questions and get to know our team.
Sometimes perhaps we might autopilot on assumptions and create blind spots that can be detrimental to the organization.
To quote Surya, "compassion is important especially if you're working in a team".
Who can forget the tense darts showdown between Ted and Rupert? Rupert underestimated Ted without asking him the right questions and didn't see Ted as an equal peer.
Drinks on Rebecca! Just no tea and bubbly water for Ted.
#3 Contribute to your community & know your worth
No one's contribution should be taken for granted. We have to respect one another's expertise and what they bring to the table. Our roles have to be emotionally sustainable for ourselves.
Dr. Sharon Fieldstone stood her ground when Ted questioned her about her profession and what she brings to the table. And yet she handled it so well in a level headed manner.
... Maybe she's very used to being asked that question. Just like how impact making founders get asked the same old questions all the time... No, impact making isn't the same as volunteering ha ha
As long as we are taking the time and care to contribute to the movement, everyone in the community needs to be taken seriously and be valued.
Starting a petition for the amazing Dr. Sharon Fieldstone to come back in season 3 or I'm not renewing my AppleTV subscription.
#4 Find opportunities to let others shine
In an unexpected twist to wrap up season 2 while referencing to the start of the season, we witnessed a redemption arc happening in ways we didn't expect. That shot is for you, Earl.
We have our moments to step up and find out what we are capable of. Sometimes we won't know until we are given the opportunity to give thing a try. It helps to be sensitive to opportunities that may matter more to others and let them have a shot.
#5 It's O.K. to be vulnerable
One of the best parts of Ted Lasso is seeing the softer sides of the characters, no matter how edgy they present themselves to the world while behind all that armour.
It's O.K not to have it all together all the time. What matters is being honest about your struggles and finding ways to let the people in the community bring out the best in you.
#6 It takes time to win people over
Another highlight of the season is watching Ted trying his best to break down the walls of Dr. Sharon... while in return, she wins Ted over by letting him embrace his vulnerable side as he learns more about her.
Sometimes it takes more time than usual to win over people through our go-to methods. It pays to know someone's boundaries and get to know them on their terms and pace.
O.K. but Dr. Sharon Fieldstone, if you don't want Ted's biscuits then you gotta share it with us instead. Unless it was when Ted mixed up the sugar for the salt then no, Dr. Sharon you can have it since you don't eat sugar anyway.
#7 Mistakes happen and we complement each other
Characters are never at their best all the time on TV, let alone in real life. We can't possibly be the best versions of ourselves at every single beat.
What matters is that we have one another's backs until everyone is back on their feet, and for us to move forward. Also it is O.K. for us to take the time to recover from set backs.
We just hope that it isn't in an ice bath like Roy with Dani running in the background. Fútbol IS LIFE.
#8 Sometimes the team knows best
Wisdom of the crowd can sometimes be the game-changer that we need in order to overcome challenges that we didn't think was possible.
Diverse thinking helps us navigate the best path forward. Is your community leveraging on wisdom of the crowd or is it falling under a homogenous thinking? Are there differing thoughts to help shake things up from time to time?
#9 We are all in this together
Jamie unexpectedly stole the spotlight by stepping up to prove his worth as a team member. Sometimes we are forced to make tough decisions that are true to our values and beings. It helps to do it with people that have your back and commit together.
I'm not sure if I have the courage to go against a strong entity like what the Richmond team did... but technically all of us are doing so when embarking on sustainability? We are going against strong and powerful forces that insist on a status quo, while contributing to the climate crisis and hurting communities, that we are trying to defy?
One beautiful note was how Sam didn't have any expectations for his team mates to be apart of his personal growth and journey but they did it for him.
Not to divide this community apart but are we team Tina Feyhound or Macy Greyhound?
PS. speaking of season 2, did anyone get chills comparing the first and last frame of the season?
If you are looking for a community, you can consider checking out our platform that aims to bring sustainability ecosystem players to come together to consolidate our efforts.
Also... is anyone upset that the books that Coach Beard was reading were football related and I can't add them to my Goodreads?!
Inverting the Pyramid?
Sounds amazing. Count me in!
Inverting The Pyramid: The History of Soccer Tactics?
Ah never mind!
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