Starfleet Leadership Academy - Leadership Through Star Trek

Jeff Akin

Star Trek is full of great examples of leadership. Jeff Akin, a leader with over 20 years of executive management experience in both the public and private sectors, breaks down each episode of Star Trek, from The Original Series to Discovery, and beyond; pointing out examples of great leadership, management, lean/six-sigma, communication and more. If you enjoy Star Trek, or are even a little Trek-curious, and have an appetite for leadership development, this is the podcast for you. read less
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Episodes

Jacob Morgan - A Special Interview
31-10-2023
Jacob Morgan - A Special Interview
On this episode, Jeff Akin shares an incredible episode of the Deep Leadership Podcast (Check it out here https://jonsrennie.com/) Jacob Morgan is a professionally trained futurist, keynote speaker, and best-selling author of 5 books including Leading with Vulnerability: Unlock Your Greatest Superpower to Transform Yourself, Your Team, and Your Organization. Jon S Rennie interviews him and this is one you do not want to miss! Deep Leadership is also a member of ElectraCast Media's Best Business Network and one of my all-time favorite podcasts! Join The Mailing List https://1c819b-14b8.icpage.net/performance-review  Starfleet Leadership Academy Online Store: www.starfleetleadership.academy/store  Starfleet Leadership Academy Consulting https://www.starfleetleadership.academy/p/consulting/  Follow the Academy and connect through: Website: https://www.starfleetleadership.academy/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/SFLApodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jefftakin/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCebdT7xtm2237q0f857BBuw Got friends who are fans of Star Trek or interested in topics on leadership? Don't forget to share the podcast! Support the Starfleet Leadership Academy Podcast on: https://patreon.com/sfla And if you visit the episode page at https://www.starfleetleadership.academy/, you'll find a transcript of this episode. The Starfleet Leadership Academy is a proud member of the ElectraCast Media Best Business Network.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
087: TAS: The Practical Joker
17-10-2023
087: TAS: The Practical Joker
On this episode, Jeff Akin reviews Star Trek The Animated Series, The Practical Joker (Season 2, Episode 3). He will examine the leadership approaches of Captain Kirk. In this episode, Jeff discusses the importance of distinguishing between what is critical and what is urgent or routine. The crew faces escalating pranks and a treacherous from the ship's computer. He highlights the need for leaders to prioritize effectively and maintain composure, using Captain Kirk as an example. Jeff also touches upon the hero's journey in modern media and emphasize the importance of making wise decisions in leadership. Additionally, he introduces an exercise for categorizing tasks and discuss the freedom that comes with understanding established systems to handle emergencies. Points to Consider for Task Prioritization: How does the task benefit the team? What are the consequences of not completing the task? What is the time sensitivity? Does the task serve short- or long-term impacts? How does the task align with your personal and organizational values? Join The Mailing List https://1c819b-14b8.icpage.net/performance-review  Starfleet Leadership Academy Online Store: www.starfleetleadership.academy/store  Starfleet Leadership Academy Consulting https://www.starfleetleadership.academy/p/consulting/  Follow the Academy and connect through: Website: https://www.starfleetleadership.academy/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/SFLApodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jefftakin/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCebdT7xtm2237q0f857BBuw Got friends who are fans of Star Trek or interested in topics on leadership? Don't forget to share the podcast! Support the Starfleet Leadership Academy Podcast on: https://patreon.com/sfla And if you visit the episode page at https://www.starfleetleadership.academy/, you'll find a transcript of this episode. The Starfleet Leadership Academy is a proud member of the ElectraCast Media Best Business Network.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
084: DS9: Vortex
25-07-2023
084: DS9: Vortex
On this episode, Jeff Akin reviews Star Trek Deep Space 9, Vortex (Season 1, Episode 12). He will examine the leadership approaches of Commander Sisko. Jeff delves into the importance of setting clear expectations in the workplace. He emphasizes that having a clear understanding of what is expected is crucial for both employees and managers. Clear communication about what constitutes a good job is essential for correcting and coaching employees. Jeff also touches on the topic of termination, emphasizing that clear expectations and communication are crucial in such situations. Join The Mailing List https://1c819b-14b8.icpage.net/performance-review  Starfleet Leadership Academy Online Store: www.starfleetleadership.academy/store  Starfleet Leadership Academy Consulting https://www.starfleetleadership.academy/p/consulting/  Follow the Academy and connect through: Website: https://www.starfleetleadership.academy/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/SFLApodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jefftakin/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCebdT7xtm2237q0f857BBuw Got friends who are fans of Star Trek or interested in topics on leadership? Don't forget to share the podcast! Support the Starfleet Leadership Academy Podcast on: https://patreon.com/sfla And if you visit the episode page at https://www.starfleetleadership.academy/, you'll find a transcript of this episode. The Starfleet Leadership Academy is a proud member of the ElectraCast Media Best Business Network.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
083: LD: Moist Vessel
11-07-2023
083: LD: Moist Vessel
On this episode, Jeff Akin reviews Star Trek Lower Decks, Moist Vessel (Season 1, Episode 4). He will examine the leadership approaches of Captain Freeman and Ensign Mariner. If we only did things we love to do at work, they wouldn't need to give us money to show up. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy those things that make you feel like you're earning your paycheck. As Freeman continues to mismanage her crew, Mariner decides to find joy in the garbage tasks she is being given. Jeff breaks this down and shares how you can do the same. Nir Eyal article: https://ideas.ted.com/want-to-be-less-distracted-try-this-find-the-fun-in-tedious-tasks/ Join The Mailing List https://1c819b-14b8.icpage.net/performance-review  Starfleet Leadership Academy Online Store: www.starfleetleadership.academy/store  Starfleet Leadership Academy Consulting https://www.starfleetleadership.academy/p/consulting/  Follow the Academy and connect through: Website: https://www.starfleetleadership.academy/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/SFLApodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jefftakin/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCebdT7xtm2237q0f857BBuw Got friends who are fans of Star Trek or interested in topics on leadership? Don't forget to share the podcast! Support the Starfleet Leadership Academy Podcast on: https://patreon.com/sfla And if you visit the episode page at https://www.starfleetleadership.academy/, you'll find a transcript of this episode. The Starfleet Leadership Academy is a proud member of the ElectraCast Media Best Business Network.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
080: DIS: Into the Forest I Go
30-05-2023
080: DIS: Into the Forest I Go
On this episode, Jeff Akin reviews Star Trek Discovery, Into the Forest I Go (Season 1, Episode 9). He will examine the leadership approaches of Captain Lorca. Effective leadership requires living in both the present and the future simultaneously. It's the leader's job to craft a vision for the future and get others to buy into and share that vision. The leader should connect with people with both good intent and good perception and reception so that others share the vision and move there with them. The leader needs to get really good at describing the future as they live in the present. It's also important to connect with people in personal and meaningful ways that are uniquely meaningful to each of them. Finally, the leader must recognize and reinforce when people help move from the present into the future. By fostering a shared vision and recognizing champions, leaders can start living in the next future and connect in the next present to keep everybody moving forward. The episode emphasizes the importance of recognizing and reinforcing the contributions of team members who share and actively work towards the shared vision. Jeff Akin explains that as a leader, it is not only your job to craft a vision for the future, but more importantly, to get others to buy into and share that vision. This can be achieved by fostering a shared vision and recognizing your champions. By doing so, it enables you to start living in the next future and connect with people with both good intent and good perception and reception so that others share your vision and move there with you. The episode also highlights the importance of understanding what motivates people and how to use that as recognition or to encourage motivation. Ultimately, recognizing and reinforcing the contributions of team members who share and actively work towards the shared vision is crucial for success. Join The Mailing List https://1c819b-14b8.icpage.net/performance-review  Starfleet Leadership Academy Online Store: www.starfleetleadership.academy/store  Starfleet Leadership Academy Consulting https://www.starfleetleadership.academy/p/consulting/  00:04:04 Unlock potential through vision. 00:10:40 Discovery is serialized drama. 00:16:45 Good intentions do not guarantee success. 00:17:49 Know your team's needs. 00:28:38 Foster shared vision and recognize champions. 00:29:08 Share this podcast! Follow the Academy and connect through: Website: https://www.starfleetleadership.academy/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/SFLApodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jefftakin/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCebdT7xtm2237q0f857BBuw Got friends who are fans of Star Trek or interested in topics on leadership? Don't forget to share the podcast! Support the Starfleet Leadership Academy Podcast on: https://patreon.com/sfla And if you visit the episode page at https://www.starfleetleadership.academy/, you'll find a transcript of this episode. The Starfleet Leadership Academy is a proud member of the ElectraCast Media Best Business Network.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
078: TOS: The Man Trap
02-05-2023
078: TOS: The Man Trap
On this episode, Jeff Akin reviews Star Trek The Original Series, The Man Trap (Season 1, Episode 5). He will examine the leadership approaches of Captain Kirk. There is a shape-shifting, salt vampire on Planet M-113 and McCoy is in love with it! Sort of. He's in love with the shape it shows. So, he ends up making some egregious mistakes. In this episode, Jeff looks at how Captain Kirk responds to those mistakes and shows you how to do the same; creating an culture of "failure," which is really just a more shocking name for a culture of innovation. Article by Doug Andrew: https://medium.com/the-mission/whos-to-blame-94-chance-it-s-a-system-failure-not-you-26396b2b3811 Join The Mailing List https://1c819b-14b8.icpage.net/performance-review  Starfleet Leadership Academy Online Store: www.starfleetleadership.academy/store  Starfleet Leadership Academy Consulting https://www.starfleetleadership.academy/p/consulting/  Follow the Academy and connect through: Website: https://www.starfleetleadership.academy/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/SFLApodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jefftakin/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCebdT7xtm2237q0f857BBuw Got friends who are fans of Star Trek or interested in topics on leadership? Don't forget to share the podcast! Support the Starfleet Leadership Academy Podcast on: https://patreon.com/sfla And if you visit the episode page at https://www.starfleetleadership.academy/, you'll find a transcript of this episode. The Starfleet Leadership Academy is a proud member of the ElectraCast Media Best Business Network.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
076: TNG: The Quality of Life
04-04-2023
076: TNG: The Quality of Life
On this episode, Jeff Akin reviews Star Trek The Next Generation, The Quality of Life (Season 6, Episode 9). He will examine the leadership approaches of Captain Picard and Data. Making decisions is one of the things that separates truly great leaders from others. In this episode, Jeff breaks down how Captain Picard listens to multiple, diverse voices; gets as close to the problem as possible by visiting the gemba; addresses the root cause of the problem; and ensure his decision is communicated. Jeff also shares Data's story, and tells one of his own, that demonstrates how to do what is right, even when it means great personal and professional risk. Join The Mailing List https://1c819b-14b8.icpage.net/performance-review  Starfleet Leadership Academy Online Store: www.starfleetleadership.academy/store  Starfleet Leadership Academy Consulting https://www.starfleetleadership.academy/p/consulting/  Follow the Academy and connect through: Website: https://www.starfleetleadership.academy/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/SFLApodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jefftakin/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCebdT7xtm2237q0f857BBuw Got friends who are fans of Star Trek or interested in topics on leadership? Don't forget to share the podcast! Support the Starfleet Leadership Academy Podcast on: https://patreon.com/sfla And if you visit the episode page at https://www.starfleetleadership.academy/, you'll find a transcript of this episode. The Starfleet Leadership Academy is a proud member of the ElectraCast Media Best Business Network.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
074: VOY: False Profits
07-03-2023
074: VOY: False Profits
On this episode, Jeff Akin reviews Star Trek Voyager, False Profits (Season 3, Episode 5). He will examine the leadership approaches of Captain Janeway and Kol and Arridor. Capitalism is EVIL! Except when it isn't, which is a surprising amount of the time. As a counterpoint to the way the Ferengi are portrayed here, I talk about the concept of benevolent of conscious capitalism. I reference these news articles in the podcast: Harvard Business Review - Companies that Practice “Conscious Capitalism” Perform 10x Better Forbes - The Rise of Conscious Capitalism Join The Mailing List https://1c819b-14b8.icpage.net/performance-review  Starfleet Leadership Academy Online Store: www.starfleetleadership.academy/store  Starfleet Leadership Academy Consulting https://www.starfleetleadership.academy/p/consulting/  Follow the Academy and connect through: Website: https://www.starfleetleadership.academy/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/SFLApodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jefftakin/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCebdT7xtm2237q0f857BBuw Got friends who are fans of Star Trek or interested in topics on leadership? Don't forget to share the podcast! Support the Starfleet Leadership Academy Podcast on: https://patreon.com/sfla And if you visit the episode page at https://www.starfleetleadership.academy/, you'll find a transcript of this episode. The Starfleet Leadership Academy is a proud member of the ElectraCast Media Best Business Network.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
073: TOS: And The Children Shall Lead
21-02-2023
073: TOS: And The Children Shall Lead
On this episode, Jeff Akin reviews Star Trek The Original Series, And the Children Shall Lead (Season 3, Episode 5). He will examine the leadership approaches of Captain Kirk and Dr. McCoy. Arguably one of the worst episodes in all of Star Trek gives an incredible framework for acknowledging and processing feelings to move towards better outcomes and productivity. Jeff shares three techniques to enhance your emotional intelligence and demonstrate compassion and empathy: Be an Active Listener Provide visible, tangible support Openly acknowledge and name emotions Join The Mailing List https://1c819b-14b8.icpage.net/performance-review  Starfleet Leadership Academy Online Store: www.starfleetleadership.academy/store  Starfleet Leadership Academy Consulting https://www.starfleetleadership.academy/p/consulting/  Follow the Academy and connect through: Website: https://www.starfleetleadership.academy/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/SFLApodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jefftakin/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCebdT7xtm2237q0f857BBuw Got friends who are fans of Star Trek or interested in topics on leadership? Don't forget to share the podcast! Support the Starfleet Leadership Academy Podcast on: https://patreon.com/sfla And if you visit the episode page at https://www.starfleetleadership.academy/, you'll find a transcript of this episode. The Starfleet Leadership Academy is a proud member of the ElectraCast Media Best Business Network.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices