Starfleet Leadership Academy - Leadership Through Star Trek

On this episode, Jeff Akin reviews Star Trek The Original Series, Wink of an Eye (Season 3, Episode 13). He will examine the leadership approaches of Captain Kirk. In a paper thin plot, Captain Kirk shows why compassion is so important in leaders. Jeff also dives into root cause analysis exercises and describes the fishbone diagram. He also talks about the differences between motion and movement....

On this episode, Jeff Akin reviews Star Trek Deep Space 9, Whispers (Season 2, Episode 14). He will examine the leadership approaches of Commander Sisko. Strange things are afoot on DS9 - and O'Brien is caught in the middle of it! Sisko's "odd" behavior gives us the opportunity to learn about DOWNTIME; the 8 wastes of lean: D - Defects O - Overproduction W - Waiting N - Non-Utilized Talent T - Tra...

On this episode, Jeff Akin reviews Star Trek Enterprise, A Night in Sickbay (Season 2 Episode 5). He will examine the leadership approaches of Captain Archer. Captain Archer decides he is too good to apologize. In doing this, he insults his crew and jeopardizes his ship. Jeff examines his actions and how he finally decides to do the right thing. Support: Book: i LOVE what i've forgotten. Starfleet...

Eliza VanCort is an unapologetic space claimer that describes herself as a speaker, mentor, a rule breaker and an author. She is the founder of The Actor’s Workshop in Ithaca, New York and a Cook House Fellow at Cornell University. Eliza a bestselling author that has thrived through unspeakable tragedy. And on top of all that, she’s a huge Star Trek fan!!  LINKS: Website: https://www.elizavancort....

On this episode, Jeff Akin reviews Star Trek Lower Decks, Second Contact (Season 1, Episode 1). He will examine the leadership approaches of Ensigns Mariner and Boimler. Sponsors Zapendo: Use the Code SFLA at Checkout. We often get so wrapped up in the mundane; in the day-to-day activity of checking the boxes. When you can remain connected to your WHY - why you are doing the thing you're doing - t...

On this episode, Jeff Akin reviews Star Trek Voyager, Basics Parts 1 and 2 (Season 2, Episode 26 and Season 3, Episode 1). He will examine the leadership approaches of Captain Janeway. Article on Hope from Psychology Today Hope is often the one thing that can help people get through tough situations. When the Voyager crew faces the unimaginable, Janeway is crystal clear that they will be positive...

On this episode, Jeff Akin reviews Star Trek Discovery, Lethe (Season 1, Episode 6). He will examine the leadership approaches of Captain Lorca and Michael Burnham. Captain Lorca is a master manipulator. We see him offer things to people to advance his own agenda. Jeff will adapt this self-serving approach so that you can use it in a way that benefits everyone. It's SELFISH vs SELFLESS. Jeff also...

On this episode, Jeff Akin reviews Star Trek The Next Generation, Eye of the Beholder (Season 7, Episode 18). He will examine the leadership approaches of Captain Picard and Commander Riker. THIS EPISODE DISCUSSES SUICIDE Click THIS LINK for your free copy of Suicide - The Forever Decision by Dr. Paul G. Quinnett Riker shows us the value and importance of forming meaningful connections with the pe...

On this episode, Jeff Akin reviews Star Trek Enterprise, Acquisition (Season 1, Episode 19). He will examine the leadership approaches of Captain Archer. Captain Archer and his team are boarded by a group of unknown aliens (Ferengi...). Archer decides to use the talents, and social status, of one of them to leverage his way to escape. Leaders and managers listening to this will learn how to unlock...

On this episode, Jeff Akin reviews Star Trek Deep Space 9, Inquisition (Season 6, Episode 18). He will examine the leadership approaches of Captain Sisko. In this episode we are introduced to "Deputy Director" Sloan (aka The Reaper, aka Death) and Section 31. He challenges everything we've every discussed about ends justifying the means. And we learn how to "Sisko Up!" Follow the Academy and conne...

On this episode, Jeff Akin reviews Star Trek Voyager, One (Season 4, Episode 25). He will examine the leadership approaches of Captain Janeway and explore the effects of isolation on Seven of Nine. Janeway unlocks the reason people are resistant to change. With that, Jeff explores how to mitigate that and to help you more effectively manage change in your organization. In Jeff's analysis of Seven...

In an exciting departure from my normal format, I had the opportunity to visit with, and learn from, Gordon Tredgold.  Gordon is a highly acclaimed by Inc. 100 as a leadership speaker, an award-winning author, a recognized leadership guru and, most importantly, a Star Trek fan! Gordon Tredgold is uniquely talented at quickly creating effective plans of action for corporations. He is renowned in th...

On this episode, Jeff Akin reviews Star Trek Deep Space 9, Things Past (Season 5, Episode 8). He will examine the leadership approaches of Captain Sisko. Captain Sisko shows the value of being curious and asking great questions. Jeff also touches on Lean/Six-Sigma Process Improvement by talking about DMAIC: Define Measure Analyze Improve Control Blog Post on DMAIC: https://www.starfleetleadership....

On this episode, Jeff Akin reviews Star Trek The Original Series, A Private Little War (Season 2, Episode 16). He will examine the leadership approaches of Captain Kirk. Captain Kirk both completely blows it and gets it right. He’s leading an away team mission that goes awry and he ends up getting poisoned by a mugatu.  Why was he leading the away team you ask? Fantastic question. Before he does t...

On this episode, Jeff Akin reviews Star Trek The Next Generation, Code of Honor (Season 1, Episode 4). He will examine the leadership approaches of Captain Picard. Let's be honest, this is probably the worst episode in all of Star Trek. Despite all of that, there are very valuable leadership lessons in this one. Picard creates an environment on the bridge where he leans on the collective expertise...

On this episode, Jeff Akin reviews Star Trek Deep Space 9, Return to Grace (Season 4, Episode 14).  This episode focuses on the relationship between Major Kira and a disgraced Dukat. Surprisingly, many of our lessons come from Dukat in this one. Despite being disgraced and being put in charge a freighter, he follows the advice of an age-old saying: Dress for the job you want, not the job you have....

On this episode, Jeff Akin reviews Star Trek Voyager, Message in a Bottle (Season 4, Episode 14). He will examine the leadership lessons from The Doctor. Mindsets determine how you see the world around you. Your mindset directly influences your thoughts, and your thoughts determine your actions. The Doctor, as he works with the EMH Mark 2, gives us the opportunity to talk about 4 different mindset...

A special presentation from the Starfleet Leadership Academy Black Widow Movie Review and Comic Book Differences by FanDummies Marvel's Black Widow movie has FINALLY! been released on Disney+ and at theaters. We have been waiting for a Black Widow movie what feels like forever! We are going to talk about what Black Widow is about, who's in it, and of course we will do a review. There are a lot of...

On this episode, Jeff Akin reviews Star Trek The Next Generation, Elementary, Dear Data (Season 2, Episode 3). He will examine the leadership approaches of Captain Picard and Dr. Pulaski. Pulaski lays out the lesson in this one: "Where’s the value in winning a battle there’s no chance of losing?" Data and Geordi also give us an enviable glimpse into relationships with people that are neurodivergen...

In this episode, Jeff Akin magnifies Saru's performance as an acting captain in Season 1 Episode 5, "Star Trek: Discovery" Choose Your Pain. Due to the Klingons abducting Lorca, it is up to Saru to take over the captainship and lead the whole crew. As Saru takes on the role, he reviews the qualities set up by the computer to use as his leadership model. These qualities are bravery, self-sacrifice,...

On this episode, Jeff Akin reviews Star Trek Enterprise, The Catwalk (Season 2, Episode 12). He will examine the leadership approaches of Captain Archer. And we try something new to do so! We learn how to make meaningful, professional relationships using emotional intelligence as a framework. Five Dimensions of Emotional Intelligence: Self Awareness Self Regulation Motivation Empathy Social Skills...

On this episode, Jeff Akin reviews Star Trek Deep Space 9, Trials and Tribble-ations (Season 5, Episode 6). He will examine the leadership approaches of Captain Sisko. We learn valuable lessons about job titles and conflict of interest. We also talk about a radical new concept in reporting structures: the flat org chart.  Starfleet Leadership Academy Online Store: www.starfleetleadership.academy/s...

On this episode, Jeff Akin reviews Star Trek The Next Generation, Up the Long Ladder (Season 2, Episode 18). He will examine the leadership approaches of Captain Picard and Dr. Pulaski. Dr. Pulaski shows us what it looks like to stand up for and defend the dignity of a co-worker or a team member, while Picard demonstrates the value of just laughing at something when there isn't anything more you c...

In this episode, Jeff Akin breaks down the characters from Let That Be Your Last Battlefield (Star Trek: The Original Series), how Leonard McCoy sticks to the fundamentals when faced with an unfamiliar situation, Spock explaining the necessity of change, and James Kirk’s effective leadership because of his mission statement. As Jeff reviews the episode, focus on each character’s viewpoints through...

Join Jeff Akin as he talks about morale and how to improve it with a strength-based approach. Today, Jeff will be focusing on season 5, episode 25 of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine titled “In the Cards.” This episode will showcase how you can keep you and your team motivated while maximizing your efficiency through incentive-based economics. There’s a lot to unpack, so stay tuned and enjoy the episode...