Government by Ted Lasso: Why mindset matters in the federal workplace

The halls of government aren’t exactly known for their cheer. And the uncertainty around the election isn’t helping. Enter Ted Lasso. The relentless optimism, and genuine care of the beloved Apple TV soccer coach offers a vital lesson for government: mindset matters. 

In other words, pessimism or optimism – about our colleagues, ourselves, and our collective potential – are self-fulfilling. In an era dominated by cynical TV shows like Succession and Breaking Bad, “Ted Lasso’s” 13 Emmys proves that optimism resonates, too. So let’s stop lollygagging, and bring Ted into government.

The Bond of Pessimism

With public trust in government at record lows and politicians frequently using public servants as scapegoats, it’s no wonder that morale among government employees is suffering. This environment allows negativity to spread and, once it takes root, it becomes self-sustaining. As David Brooks explains in his Atlantic piece, “Chicken Littles Are Ruining America,” pessimism creates a new social dynamic. Optimists are often dismissed as naive or unserious, while those who focus on potential failures are viewed as insightful and wise, gaining elevated status as a result.

I’ve experienced this firsthand. Before an interagency project launch last year, I referred to our efforts as “already a success” because of the hard work we’d put in. My optimism was immediately shot down with a colleague’s list of potential pitfalls. The approving nods from others on the Zoom call made it clear just how deeply ingrained this mindset is.

This brings to mind the “Ted Lasso” episode “It’s the Hope That Kills You,” where fans and players agree that being hopeful only leads to disappointment. But Ted argues that hope is actually what saves us and it’s cynicism that creates disappointment. 

Think about it: public servants typically join government because they believe in its potential, not because they expect it to fail. What if we could reignite that belief in the potential of government, and make positivity just as contagious as cynicism?

Pragmatic Optimism

I admit my positivity sometimes leads to wishful thinking over careful planning. But optimism, when grounded in action, is a powerful strategy. Ted’s genius isn’t taping a “Believe” sign to the wall and calling it a day. It's deliberate action to give his team reason to believe.

This is rooted in serious research. Positive psychology pioneer Martin Seligman shows that mindset boosts resilience, self-efficacy, and, in turn, our willingness to take action. When Ted asks for feedback through a googly-eyed suggestion box, instead of being discouraged by the overwhelmingly cynical response, Ted quietly fixes the showers to the team’s surprise and glee.

Research on Affective Presence – how one’s mood affects others –  shows that kindness can inspire others. Even after being betrayed by his boss, Ted recommits to kindness, eventually encouraging her to become a gentler, more trusting leader. Perhaps you, too, have seen how infectious a kind word, generous gesture, or a simple smile can be at work.

In Humble: Free Yourself from the Traps of a Narcissistic World, Daryl Van Tongeren shows that humility, not certainty, brings out the best in teams. When Ted asks the kit man, Nate, for strategy advice, it sparks a newfound confidence, inspiring him to believe in himself.​ When leaders lift up their teams, it makes everyone better.

We Need Roy Kents, Too

So maybe Ted’s 8 a.m. biscuits and cheer is a bit much for you and you jibe more with the sarcastic Roy Kent. That’s great—government needs you, too. Skeptical voices help move government forward by keeping teams grounded in reality. Yet Roy Kent was at his best when he remained open to new ideas, rather than reflexively shouting “No.” For example, after initially mocking Ted’s supportive coaching style, he integrated some of this approach into a rigorous—and hilarious—training regimen for star player, Jamie Tartt.

The Roys and Teds of government can be a powerful team, balancing what Jennifer Pahlka, author of Recoding America, describes as “stop” and “go” energy. A Roy Kent might raise an eyebrow at another “team values” exercise, but instead of draining the energy from the room, he can challenge the group to make those values actionable or troubleshoot why previous efforts may have failed.

Government Ted Lassos

Government has its share of Ted Lassos, and Jen Pahlka is one of them. She blends pep talk with policy analysis: “It’s easy to complain about government,” she writes in Recoding America, “but it’s more satisfying to help fix it.” Surgeon General Vivek Murthy is another. He uses optimism to stir action around overwhelming challenges like the loneliness epidemic and the challenges of being a parent. CIA Director William Burns is also known for small acts of care: I still have a thank you note he sent me for a minor way I helped him during our State Department days.

These examples notwithstanding, in today’s news cycle, optimism can be a hard sell. But we’ve seen this before: JFK’s message helped break through the cynicism of McCarthyism in the 1950s. 

As we might say today, vibes matter. Federal employees can turn setbacks into learning opportunities, tackle monumental problems step by step, bring out the best in each other, and rediscover the joy of public service. It’s possible but as Pahlka noted in an email to me, “That will take 10,000 Ted Lassos.” Good news is that we have 2.3 million federal employees (how’s that for optimism ). Here are a few practical ways we can all channel a little Ted Lasso at work:

• Avoid Gossip: Find the positive in others and vent frustration in healthy ways. Remember, if you talk ill of others, people may assume you’ll do the same about them.
• Build Real Relationships: Take time to connect with colleagues from supervisors to janitors on a personal level.
• Mentor: Take an intern for coffee and call forth the best in junior team members by giving them meaningful growth opportunities.
• Forgive: “Grace and space” doesn’t just rhyme, it's what complex humans deserve. Letting go is a much greater act of power than holding a grudge.
• Incorporate Play: Not every task is a joy; not every day is a picnic. But finding the fun is a choice and a positive mindset can make rocky periods go by faster.

From Cynicism to Hope

Difficult moments can either fuel cynicism or ignite resolve. While optimism might seem improbable in today’s climate, embracing it could transform our government at its core. After all, positivity doesn’t just lift morale—it’s the kind of thing that keeps people around and even attracts fresh talent. Yes, fellow federal employees, in this challenging era for government, let’s tune out the cynics: it's time to #Believe. 

Alex Snider is a strategy lead in the federal government. Previously he worked as a diplomat in the U.S. Department of State, in the U.S. Senate, and at the World Bank. He is a certified mindful facilitator and is involved in various efforts to improve employee wellbeing in government. You can find him on Substack and LinkedIn. 

He has previously written on bringing humanity to government, including emotions in the workplace, authenticity, the need to take breaks, work-life integration, and the value of genuine appreciation at work. This op-ed is written in his personal capacity and the views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of his agency or the United States.