What can a fictional soccer coach, a Hollywood mogul and a pop superstar teach us about developing future leaders? More than you might think.
Leadership advice is everywhere. Listen more. Lead with empathy. Encourage innovation. It's good advice, but without context, it's easy to tune out.
So, what if we took a different approach? What if we borrowed lessons from some of pop culture's most beloved figures — Ted Lasso, Tyler Perry and Taylor Swift — and reimagined them for the workplace?
These three icons might work in entertainment, but the ways they lead, uplift and empower others are master classes in coaching emerging leaders.
Ted Lasso: Empathetic, personalized leadership
In the Apple TV series “Ted Lasso,” the main character is an American football coach managing a British soccer team with little more than charm, optimism and a box of biscuits, but Ted's leadership is anything but fluffy.
In one episode, Ted gives each of his players a book that speaks to their personal journey. Not just a team-building gesture, this is a coach who sees people as individuals. This approach, reminiscent of basketball coach Phil Jackson's method with the legendary Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, emphasizes understanding and addressing the unique needs of each team member. It's a reminder that coaching isn't about managing the crowd. It's about recognizing the nuance in each team member. Tools like the Predictive Index can help with this, but that's just a start. Do you know how your team members prefer to receive feedback? What motivates them outside of work? Ted would.
And let's not forget Ted's secret sauce: connection. Whether he's bringing biscuits to the boss or planning a surprise birthday party for a player, he leads with heart. Especially in today's hybrid and remote environments, building real relationships takes intention. Celebrate milestones, create rituals and, above all, show up consistently. Ted reminds us that when people feel seen, they're more willing to follow you into the unknown.
Tyler Perry: Coaching through adversity and audacity
Before the billion-dollar empire and the studio that now bears his name, Tyler Perry was living in his car and being turned away by every major network. He kept going.
Perry didn't just bet on himself. He built the table he wasn't invited to sit at. That kind of vision isn't just inspiring; it's instructive. Leaders need to model the courage to take smart risks. But just as importantly, they need to create environments where their teams feel safe to do the same.
If a junior staffer pitches a wild idea, do they believe you'll give it air, or shut it down because it hasn't been done before? Tyler Perry's story teaches us to look past credentials and status and focus on potential, grit and drive.
But leadership isn't just about risk-taking; it's about weathering setbacks. Perry wrote and staged his first play "I Know I've Been Changed" in 1992. It flopped. He tried again and again until the play finally took off — six years later.
Many people would have given up much sooner. Leaders today need to coach resilience the same way Perry lived it: not as a motivational poster slogan, but as a steady drumbeat of encouragement, reflection and growth. Progress isn't always linear. Encourage your team to keep going.
Taylor Swift: Recognition, reinvention and relational power
You may not associate Taylor Swift with traditional leadership, but she's one of the most powerful people in music.
Taylor is a master of making people feel seen. From surprise gift boxes to handwritten notes to calling out collaborators on stage, she constantly shares the spotlight. For leaders, this is more than just "saying thank you." It's about establishing a culture of recognition, where no win is too small to celebrate, and every team member feels like they matter.
But Taylor's impact goes deeper than gratitude. She reinvents herself and brings her fans (and teams) along for the ride. In leadership, that's called adaptive strategy. The best leaders don't cling to what worked five years ago; they evolve, and they empower others to do the same.
And let's not forget her boldest move yet: reclaiming her masters by re-recording her early albums. It was business-savvy, but it also modeled what standing up for your values can look like at the highest level. Coaching future leaders means helping them find that clarity for themselves: What do I believe in? What am I willing to fight for? How do I use my platform (however big or small) for impact?
Final encore: Your role as a leadership coach
Whether you're guiding a first-time manager or helping an experienced director level up, the real work of coaching is in the relationship. Ted Lasso teaches us to coach the person, not the role. Tyler Perry shows us how to persevere through uncertainty with courage and conviction. Taylor Swift reminds us to lift others up, adapt constantly and stay anchored in our values.
So, the next time you're thinking about your approach to leadership, maybe skip the business section and turn on a little Ted, Tyler or Taylor. You might just find the playbook you didn't know you needed.
Emily Burch serves as senior vice president, and Amy Lotz, CAE, as executive vice president and chief of staff, for Association Solutions at MCI USA.
