Leadership in Star Trek

What are the skills necessary for effective leadership? How can we learn to lead toward a better tomorrow? For six decades, the captains of Star Trek have demonstrated the potential for leaders to leverage reason and compassion in the service of others. Grounded in science yet focused on practical application, this book uses case studies from more than 40 episodes and films to explore how Captains Archer, Burnham, Pike, Kirk, Picard, Sisko, and Janeway relied upon the basic leadership skills of communication, patience, and relationship to navigate the most challenging of events.
This work lays out how leaders can leverage reason and compassion to create organizational cultures in which everyone has a place at the table. Whether you are a professional or a student of business, academics, schools, or government, Star Trek is more relevant than ever to the leaders of today to boldly go.

Jason A. Kaufman is a professor of educational leadership and director of the institutional review board at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and a licensed psychologist. His research explores how nature-based and mind-body interventions can promote human functioning and academic success.
Aaron M. Peterson is an active researcher and former assistant professor of educational leadership at Minnesota State University-Moorhead. His research explores conflict engagement best practices for higher educational leaders, students, and also the private sector.

Jason A. Kaufman and Aaron M. Peterson
Foreword by Aaron J. Waltke
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 199
Bibliographic Info: bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2023
pISBN: 978-1-4766-9044-5
eISBN: 978-1-4766-5096-8
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments  ix
Foreword by Aaron J. Waltke  1
Prologue  5
Chapter 1
Basic Leadership Skills  19
Chapter 2
Archer: Adolescent Explorer  33
Chapter 3
Burnham: Rapid Adapter  52
Chapter 4
Pike: Reluctant Warrior  73
Chapter 5
Kirk: Charismatic Cowboy  89
Chapter 6
Picard: Diplomatic Scholar  107
Chapter 7
Sisko: Ethical Realist  127
Chapter 8
Janeway: Tireless Thinker  146
Epilogue  165
References  175
Index  187

• “This book treats the legendary Captains of Star Trek, who are clearly exemplars of leadership in different styles and in varying contexts, as examples that students of leadership should heed—and what powerful lessons there are to learn. The selection of moments and the episodes or films in which they can be found is incredible—a true testament to how detailed the book is. There is some essential Star Trek viewing in the selections, and some lesser known moments brought to life in a new research context.”—Chris Nunn, assistant professor of film, University of Birmingham