"Smells Like Potential"

To complete our understanding of the Expectancy-Value Theory, we explored how values, perceptions, and cultivated interests interplay with perceptions of self-efficacy, subsequently shaping our motivation to act. As I described in last week's blog, determining Ted Lasso's perceptions and sources of coaching self-efficacy was not as easy as it had initially seemed. He did not appear particularly phased by losing, despite being head coach of the professional soccer team. However, considering the topics of this week, I believe one must understand Ted's overarching values to accurately assess his coaching self-efficacy or sources of motivation. 

Ted makes it outwardly clear from the beginning of his soccer coaching career that he does not necessarily value winning in and of itself. Although this could potentially be chalked up as a defense mechanism, given his lack of experience and his team's lack of cohesivity, Ted's disregard for winning games does not change when he and his team begin to excel. One way to operationalize values and potentially help us better understand Ted's is through our 2 x 2 conceptualization of achievement goals. This framework explains that there are two categories of perceived achievement, both of which can further be broken down into the strategies one uses to reach the desired achievement. Folks who are predominantly focused on achieving outcomes that are centered around performing better than others (e.g., "my goal is to beat West Ham and Rupert") are considered performance-oriented, while folks who focus on improving themselves (or others) and on the tasks/process of improvement (e.g., "my goal is to help these kids play like a team") are considered mastery-oriented. In the other dimension, individuals who typically take action head-on, focusing on what they need to do (e.g., Bringing out Led Tasso to motivate the team), exhibit approach behaviors, while folks who typically shy away from action or focus on what not to do (e.g., Nate talking himself out of asking a hostess on a date) exhibit avoidance behaviors.

In relation to Ted, when it comes to soccer and competition in general, it would seem that Ted is hardly ever focused on the outcome, winning, or doing better than others. Rather, Ted appears to be driven by mastery; he could not care less about the outcome of the game as long as his team realize a takeaway lesson and grow towards their potential. This is evidenced throughout the series, but I think especially so when Ted takes his star player, Jamie, out of the game for Sam, a young and discouraged sub. Ted confronted Jamie's constant challenges to his ideal team culture and, in turn, Sam went on to score the winning goal, instilling confidence and resilience with the rest of the team. Through the general framework of Expectancy-Value theory, if Ted singularly values the process of building rapport, connection, and facilitating his athletes' self-improvement (on and off the field) over performing well or winning, then losing probably wouldn't influence his coaching self-efficacy or motivation at all! As long as he sees that his athletes are improving and growing closer as a team while they do it, Ted's goals appear to be accomplished. Of note, I believe there is an argument that by focusing on improving the culture and shared leadership of his team, Ted may be using a form of instrumentation (focusing on achieving one goal as a direct or indirect means to achieving another goal) to win a championship. However, this examination may be best explored in another blog post, and Ted's behaviors throughout the show would certainly point to his valuing of relationships over a secretive need to win.