🚨 Spoiler Alert! 🚨
I loved Running Point! A leadership success story at its best! Watching Kate Hudson as Isla Gordon navigate the chaos of inheriting an NBA team felt like a Ted Lasso-esque journey (which I LOVE), blending heart, humour, and hard-earned leadership lessons.
What makes Running Point so compelling? It’s not just about Isla stepping into a role no one (except Ali) thought she was capable of—it’s about grit, culture, and riding the messy, often dysfunctional world of family business.
Here are the biggest leadership, teamwork, and culture takeaways from this feel-good show, along with some character deep dives!
1. Isla’s Leadership Style
Isla’s leadership approach is a stark departure from the ‘old boys’ club’ that previously ran the Los Angeles Waves. She brings a principled, strategic, and no-nonsense approach to the role, making decisions based on what’s best for the team rather than maintaining outdated traditions. She doesn’t just walk in with instant credibility—she has to prove herself to the players, the coaching team, the execs, and, most of all, her own family.
Lesson: Leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room—it’s about showing up, making smart decisions, and building trust. Isla does this by listening, learning, and eventually taking charge with confidence.
2. Winning Mindset
Isla’s dad, Jack Gordon, clearly didn’t see her as a serious leadership contender—he kept her tucked away in the family’s charity arm while her brothers handled the “real” business. So, while he may have loved her, he definitely underestimated her. Which makes her rise even more satisfying!
Lesson: People may underestimate you—but that doesn’t define you. Isla’s success comes not from others believing in her, but from her believing in herself and stepping up when no one thought she could.
3. The Ted Lasso Factor: Marcus Winfield as the Unexpected Leader
One of my favourite character arcs is Marcus Winfield (Toby Sandeman, Power Book III: Raising Kanan), the veteran player who had mentally checked out but finds a way to lean back in when the team—and Isla—need him most.
Very Roy Kent-meets-Jamie Tartt from Ted Lasso. He may not have been the flashiest leader, but he had gravitas—and when he stepped up, people listened.
Lesson: Leadership isn’t just about titles; it’s about influence. True leaders aren’t always in charge, but they set the standard for others to follow.
4. Innovation Wins: Thinking Beyond the Obvious
Isla’s leadership isn’t just about discipline and strategy—it’s also about vision. When the team loses its long-term family-focused mattress sponsor, she doesn’t panic. Instead, she studies the data and uncovers an untapped market: the women attending games. By securing a groundbreaking sponsorship deal with Sephora, she not only replaces the lost funding but also increases revenue and expands the team’s appeal.
Her creative problem-solving shines again when financial pressures force discussions about trading Marcus, their best player. Rather than making a short-sighted decision and writing off the season, Isla negotiates strategic deals with other clubs, finds alternative revenue streams, and brings in a promising rookie—allowing the team to keep Marcus without sacrificing financial stability.
Lesson: the best leaders see possibilities where others see problems. Great leadership isn’t just about maintaining what exists—it’s about reimagining what’s possible. Isla’s ability to analyse data, challenge assumptions, and craft innovative solutions turns potential setbacks into competitive advantages. Leaders who embrace creativity and strategic thinking open doors to new opportunities, even in moments of crisis.
5. Coach Jay Brown: Calm, Strategic, and Worthy Love Interest
Coach Jay Brown (Jay Ellis, Insecure) is a standout character—not just as a coach, but as a leader. He embodies a calm, strategic approach, which contrasts beautifully with the chaos around him.
Lesson: Leadership isn’t about being the loudest or most aggressive; sometimes, the best leaders are those who bring clarity and composure when everything else is falling apart.
6. The Battle of the Brothers: Cam vs. Ness vs. Sandy
The sibling rivalry in Running Point is brutal, but so telling. Cam Gordon (Justin Theroux) is the classic appoint her, then gaslight her type. He’s the one who put Isla in charge after his scandal, only to constantly undermine her. Ness and Sandy also struggle with the power shift.
Cam’s growing jealousy by the end of the season? Bring on Season 2!
Lesson: Leadership isn’t just about proving yourself to your peers—it’s about standing your ground when others try to diminish your authority. Isla has to fight for every inch of respect, even from those closest to her.
7. The Partner Who Couldn’t Keep Up
Isla’s longtime fiancé, Lev Levenson (Max Greenfield, New Girl), is the too-typical insecure partner who just can’t handle Isla’s newfound success. While frustratingly stereotypical, his character is well-acted and relatable—many people in leadership face partners who struggle with shifting power dynamics and priorities.
Lev liked Isla when she was carefree, fun, and putting their relationship first. But as she steps into her role as president, she no longer fits neatly into his world, and instead of adjusting, he resents it. The cracks in their relationship widen, showing how personal and professional growth can sometimes move people in different directions.
Lesson: A great leader needs a strong support system. When partners can’t adapt to your growth, it can turn success into a battle instead of a shared win.
Lesson: Not everyone in your life is meant to grow with you—and that’s okay. Surround yourself with people who celebrate your ambition, not those who fear it.
8. Leadership & Friendship: Why Every Boss Needs an Ali
Isla’s journey isn’t just about leadership and family—it’s also about friendship, and Ali Lee (Brenda Song, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody) is the ultimate ride-or-die best friend.
Ali’s unwavering support is a huge part of Isla’s success. While her family constantly doubts her, Ali is the one who reminds her of her worth, hypes her up when she needs it, and gives her the brutal honesty that only a best friend can. She’s the Ted Lasso equivalent of Keeley Jones—a powerhouse in her own right, but also a fiercely loyal supporter.
Lesson: Leadership can be lonely, and every great leader needs a trusted confidante. Ali provides Isla with emotional support, reality checks, and unwavering loyalty—the kind of friendship that helps leaders stay grounded and resilient.
9. The Reality of Family Business: Messy, Political, and Personal
If you’ve ever worked in or around a family business, the Waves’ office drama feels very familiar. Isla’s brothers, Cam Gordon (Justin Theroux, The Leftovers), Sandy Gordon (Drew Tarver, The Other Two), and Ness Gordon (Scott MacArthur, The Mick), all bring their own baggage, expectations, and (let’s be real) pettiness into the mix. Typical of a family business, right? You don’t just manage a company—you manage relationships, history, and egos.
Lesson: Leadership in a family business requires diplomacy, boundary-setting, and the ability to rise above personal dynamics to do what’s best for the business.
10. Breaking the Cycle: Redefining Leadership for the Future
When Isla steps into her leadership role, she doesn’t just inherit a business—she inherits a deeply entrenched culture shaped by years of unchecked power dynamics. The team has been run by a leadership style that thrived on excess, ego, and outdated traditions. Isla, in contrast, brings a principled, strategic, and no-nonsense approach. Her leadership is driven by integrity and results, not by maintaining the status quo.
Her biggest challenge? Overcoming the resistance from those who benefited from the old way of doing things. Cam and others in the organisation were used to operating within a culture of indulgence and favouritism, making Isla’s ethical, values-driven leadership a direct threat to their comfort. Instead of bending to fit their expectations, Isla takes a stand—proving that real leadership isn’t about popularity or tradition but about creating a team that can truly thrive.
Lesson: No matter how talented a team is, a toxic culture will always hold it back. The best leaders set clear expectations, eliminate destructive behaviours, and create an environment where professionalism and respect drive performance. Isla proves that passion and integrity—not outdated power structures—are what make leadership truly effective.
11. Leading on Your Own Terms: Why the Best Leaders Rewrite the Rules
Isla never tries to fit into the “old boys’ club” leadership model—she dismantles it. Rather than proving she can party, play politics, or assert dominance like those before her, she demonstrates her value by delivering results. She leads with a clear purpose, holds people accountable, and refuses to compromise on ethics, even when it makes her unpopular.
She doesn’t just lead differently—she transforms the very definition of leadership within the organisation. By setting new expectations and aligning the team with a higher standard, she creates a culture where success isn’t about power plays but about genuine teamwork and performance.
Lesson: The best leaders don’t conform to outdated systems; they redefine the rules to create something better. Isla’s success comes from standing firm in her principles, proving that trust and accountability matter more than tradition. By leading with authenticity, she shows that real influence comes from earning respect—not demanding it.
Final Take: Leadership, Heart, and a Whole Lot of Fun
At its core, Running Point is a feel-good show with serious leadership lessons. Watching Isla transform from underestimated party girl to confident team president was deeply satisfying—especially seeing Kate Hudson in her element.
With so many loose ends (Cam’s impending sabotage?!), I can’t wait for Season 2!
Claire Harrison is the Founder and Managing Director of Harrisons, a flourishing HR consulting business that sprouted in 2009 from Claire’s passionate belief that inspiring leaders and superstar employees are the key success factor to any business. With over 20 years’ experience, Claire has worked as a HR Director of multi-national organisations, as a Non-Executive Board Director, and a small business owner. Claire’s corporate career includes working with companies such as BHP, Westpac, Fonterra and Mayne Nickless.
