Star Trek vs. Star Wars, HR’s perspective

Seven of Nine

Star Trek vs. Star Wars

In 1964, Roddenberry drafted a proposal for a series that combined the popular Western genre of the time with Gulliver’s Travels and morality issues. Roddenberry aimed to demonstrate that the human race was progressing. He wanted to expand the imagination to show what was possible, not impossible. You are probably asking yourself, “What does Star Trek have to do with HR?”

There is a familiar question and debate in technology: Star Trek vs. Star Wars? With no explanation needed, referring to these two titles as a question implies, “Which of the two do you like more?”  That is an easy question for me. “Seven of Nine!” “Seven of Nine!” Did I mention Seven of Nine? I enjoyed both Star Trek and Star Wars during my childhood. An HR guy, the vote goes to Star Trek.  Beyond Jerry Ryan from the Voyager series, my money is on Gene Roddenberry and Captain Jean-Luc Picard. In my opinion, Roddenberry had an amazing vision, and Picard is a great example of a technology CEO. He is a leader to whom all HR practitioners should relate.

Aesop’s Fables

I am sure others have said this before. I believe that Star Trek is our generation’s version of Aesop’s Fables—themes revolving around equality, morality, and sexism, to name just a few. The episodes inspire you to think about life. Star Trek didn’t just get you to think about life; it inspired you to think outside the box. There was an idea to be explored in just about every episode. The crew of the Enterprise wrestled with a different moral dilemma every week. Due to the crew’s cultural diversity, each member viewed the weekly situation differently. Because of their (dare I say) “tolerance,” they could respect and appreciate each other’s solutions and work together.  

I agree with the third bullet point from this blog post on Geekwire.  The post is titled “7 Steps to Raise a Geek Child” by Frank Catalano, and his thought is: “Expose your child to Star Trek.  It’s harder to build the future if you’ve never seen or read others’ classic vision of possible futures.” This is an attitude we want in our working environments and company cultures. We want the workforce to think about the possibility of the future!

So why does this Technology HR guy prefer Star Trek over Star Wars:

The Ship

• Ten Forward: Obviously, “Beer Friday” was a sanctioned event.
• Many technology companies have video games and lounges where employees can take a break. The Enterprise has a Holodeck.
• When faced with a tough situation, Jean-Luc Picard, the CEO, would assemble the executive team and ask for “options.”  He clearly valued collaboration and teamwork toward a common goal.

Management Training

• The Kobayashi Maru exercise says all that needs to be explained about Management Training.
• Deanna Troi, the half-Betazoid counselor, appears to be reporting directly to the CEO. She had a seat on the bridge right next to the captain, AKA, a seat at the table.

The Exec team

• Spock: Used logic, not emotions, to conclude decisions. Emotion has its place in the workplace, but I favor the mantra “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one”. This guy didn’t look out for himself; he looked out for the needs of the many.  In corporate speak, the “many” would be the “corporation.”
• Sulu: This helmsman was my first Asian superhero. He broke through the glass ceiling. Sulu was part of the executive team, could handle himself in a fight, and didn’t take care of the laundry. He was an Asian driver responsible for navigating the Enterprise. We didn’t see any bad Asian driving until John Cho was asked, “Is the parking brake on?” in the 2009 movie’s maiden voyage. (Always got to be dissing on the driving of the Asian brothers.)
• Nichelle Nichols as Lt. Uhura: Fact: She wanted to leave the program and pursue a singing career, but Martin Luther King Jr. convinced her to stay on the program, explaining: “For the first time, the world will see us as we should be, seen – people of quality in the future. You created a role with dignity and beauty and grace and intelligence.”  +1

I didn’t know I was a minority till I went to a private school

I grew up in an integrated school system, where 70% of the students were minorities. Star Trek exposed me to diverse cultures, various thought patterns, and, of course, advanced technology. Most importantly, Star Trek introduced me to various visual representations of what life could be like. Growing up surrounded by minorities, I didn’t know I was different.  At the school I attended, everyone was unique. It wasn’t until I went to a private school that was not diverse that I felt different. I was treated poorly. It was here I learned I was different. Part of me likes to think that Star Trek inspired a lot of technology. Maybe there is more diversity in the technology industry because those working in the tech field are not just familiar with Star Trek; they have embraced it.

HR and diversity training

HR often receives a bad reputation for various reasons. Diversity training probably makes the top three lists of most employees, only after 1. Layoffs and 2. Restructuring of a company. Everyone has been through diversity. These trainings are typically one-way lectures. The almighty HR person is preaching the rhetoric about equality and sensitivity. Very few employees participate, and a signature is required at the end to confirm attendance. There is always one person who takes the class seriously, and he or she signs their name Donald Duck or Seymour Butts.

I think Star Trek would be an excellent platform for diversity training. Instead of a class on what you can and can not say, a tour of the bridge of the Starship Enterprise would be in order. Men, women, individuals from different races, and those from diverse backgrounds are all represented at the highest levels of leadership, each working together toward a common goal. Mad Men, this is not.

Corporate Mentality vs. Tech

Just think about what a company could achieve if everyone shared the same mentality and loyalty as the enterprise’s crew. When I think of my corporate days, there was always some yahoo who would chime in with:

• “It can’t be done!”
• “That is impossible!”
• “We will never finish in time!”

This guy did not watch Star Trek. This guy never met Scotty, the engineer who said, “Captain, she’s giving us all she’s got!!!”.  When the captain would ask for more, he would respond, “Aye, Captain”, and get it done.

I want to report to Picard

I liked Kirk, but as an HR professional, I’m not sure I could have reported to him. He was a brawler and a nightmare for the legal department. Picard is my leader.  He brawled with his intellect, and diplomacy was his weapon. I don’t imagine Picard in too many sexual harassment lawsuits. Picard was a guy who could sit at the executive table and walk the halls with his sleeves rolled up. For me, the decision is easy.  Star Trek.

See you at the after party,
HRNasty

nasty: an unreal maneuver of incredible technique, something that is ridiculously good, tricky, and manipulative but with a result that can’t help but be admired, a phrase used to describe someone good at something. “He has a nasty forkball”.

Subscribe here to ditch the corporate ladder and take the elevator. I promise no spam,