By Lisa Hochgraf
I actually got to the theater this weekend to see the new Star Trek movie. I enjoyed it thoroughly, even leaned over to my husband and said, "This is brain candy."
Indeed, I was having such a good time, I wasn't thinking about the management lessons that could be learned from the film--at first. But then Spock said something like, "By my calculations, our plan has only a 4.39 percent chance of success," and Kirk replied: "It'll work, Spock. It'll work." And all I could think about was how on the money that dialog is for the executives who lead today's credit unions.
I know succeeding on a 4.39 percent chance is the stuff of Hollywood. But Kirk believed in himself, in Spock, in the mission. And leaders who have that kind of moxy and the ability to inspire through their commitment to a worthwhile cause--despite their own potential peril--really, well, lead. More than is projected can happen when they are in the captain's chair. Wise Captain Pike even says that Starfleet Command could use more leaders like this.
Another management takeaway from the film is the value of collecting talented individuals to run a complex operation such as a starship--or a credit union. I not only enjoyed seeing Scotty, Sulu, Uhura, Bones, Spock and Kirk reassemble because I well remember their characters from too many late night episodes of the Star Trek TV show, but also because I knew the team had what it takes to do the job, and save my planet.
Live long and prosper!
