It’s undeniable; Star Trek has had a universal and sustainable appeal for generations of fans. Yes, I may be revealing my inner nerd but, I have a theory on why Star Trek is so appealing and it has potential opportunity for business leaders to create high performance cultures. The cornerstone of my theory relies on the assumption that audiences are finding something they can identify with in the franchise. While I think basic elements such as exploration, technology, equality, and adventure are important elements; they can readily be found in other franchises that have not been sustained. I think there’s something deeper. I believe that people are identifying with characters that are representative of their natural abilities. I think these unique abilities are often oppressed, underappreciated, or not fully expressed in many people’s lives and it feels good for them to watch a relatable character exercise their talents in a rewarding environment. Star Trek makes the Chief Science Officer, Chief Engineer, and Medical Officer something cool. Audiences aren’t limited to aspire to be the Captain; there are other experts vital to the mission in roles just as prominent. There is always a challenge that unifies the crew behind a common cause that requires the unique skills of several experts to resolve it. Contributions are transparent to all of the team and politics are non-existent. The Captain doesn’t run around like he is the smartest person in the room, stealing all the limelight, and publishing a memoir on why he was solely responsible for the turnaround of the situation (aka General Motors).
Think about the potential of this Star Trek culture in a workplace. What if everyone was tested for their greatest aptitude and prepared to reach that potential? What if every participant showed up to work with people they admired and performed a job doing what they love? What if the entire team had the singular clarity of purpose brought about by something worth fighting for? On the Enterprise
, the organization of each expert’s role creates a wide range of freedom to exercise authority within their role; even for the Captain. The Captain’s chief job is to make smart and objective decisions, often under great pressure and with limited information. As such, the Captain contributes to the team by bringing his expertise in decision making in support of his peers, not over them. The Captain values the input from his experts and serves to inspire their best input. To elicit the input and analyze information, the Captain himself must be a master generalist in several areas of expertise and managerial excellence. This support sustains the integrity of the organization which gains its power from the utilization of each member’s contributions. It may sound ideal, but I’m not one to settle. I’d say such a work environment would be the most rewarding professional experience a person could enjoy.
, the organization of each expert’s role creates a wide range of freedom to exercise authority within their role; even for the Captain. The Captain’s chief job is to make smart and objective decisions, often under great pressure and with limited information. As such, the Captain contributes to the team by bringing his expertise in decision making in support of his peers, not over them. The Captain values the input from his experts and serves to inspire their best input. To elicit the input and analyze information, the Captain himself must be a master generalist in several areas of expertise and managerial excellence. This support sustains the integrity of the organization which gains its power from the utilization of each member’s contributions. It may sound ideal, but I’m not one to settle. I’d say such a work environment would be the most rewarding professional experience a person could enjoy. 
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