What Captain Kirk Taught Me about Leadership (Hint: It Involves Mojo)

Star Trek conventions are an exhibition of devotion to heroes. Imitation klingons and characters with green skin patiently stand in line waiting to meet Mr. Spock, Sulu and Captain Kirk. Trekies spend countless hours on their passion. The rewards come back tenfold when they lock eyes with their idol, and take back a little piece of hero for him or herself.

This phenomenon is not unique to the Star Trek experience. We see it at Star Wars events and business conferences as Steve Jobs or Warren Buffet strolls onto the stage. We want to kiss their ring, or just be in the midst of our hero. What happens when the devotee wants a bit of that influence for him or herself? Must they wait for their own TV show or multimillion-dollar corporation to build a following? Heroes, change agents and business leaders have three things in common. Follow their lead and create a life worth writing about.

1. They Dare to Be Amazing – An amazing life is closer than you think. Boldly go where you have never gone before, and allow those experiences to change you. Switch your mind off autopilot, and learn something new. Allow your adventures to fill your soul, and serve as a guideline as to where you should serve. Do you have an adrenaline rush while you are outdoors? Volunteer in the environmental conservation movement. If filmmaking is your hobby, become a social entrepreneur, teach African women your skill and allow them to tell their stories. The world is waiting for the next hero. Are you going to fill the role, or watch them on TV?
   
   
2. They Check Their Motivation – The hero is never bigger than the mission he or she serves. Before you step up to the plate of social or business leadership, examine your reasons for doing so. Do you seek recognition? Are you craving validation? Every leader’s sole mission is to advance a cause, business, idea, dream—whatever it is he or she wishes to press forward. If you are doing anything of importance, and you are doing it right, remember the movement will exist with or without your involvement. Even with his prowess, the ship sometimes ran without Captain Kirk at the helm thanks to Mr. Spock.
   
   
3. They Have Mojo – Captain Kirk can stroll into a room and command attention. Is that ability innate, or is it a byproduct of experience? A hero can confidently walk into the room because he or she knows they belong there. The leader has a lifetime of experience under his or her belt to offer a battery of stories to keep audiences entertained. Moments of insecurity might creep in, but the leader knows they have masterfully completed steps one and two.
   

In college, I used to watch men scurrying like lab rats on the basketball court. One by one, they would throw imaginary balls into a very real basket. “Why don't you just play for real,” I asked them to have deer in headlights looks meet me in return. I knew their type. They would eventually grow up to blurt out catch phrases, such as win-win and synergy, at business meetings to appear smart. Here lays the difference between pretenders on the sidelines of life, and leaders that work hard to lead a heroic life worthy of storytelling. I cannot imagine Captain James T. Kirk being content playing imaginary basketball. And for Mr. Spock to spew business catchphrases in the pursuit of coolness would be illogical.

Dawn is still on her quest to become someone amazing by unleashing the rock star, do-gooder and explorer of her childhood dreams. She hopes to surf for the first time next week.

This Post Is Not About Earth Day, But It Is…Sort Of

The envelope arrived in my dorm room mailbox on an ordinary winter afternoon. I was a sophomore, and still clutching to the not-so-unique dream of becoming the next writer who changes the world. The president of the University of Georgia, a sprawling university of scholars, journalists and activists, invited me to dine with civil rights icon and Congressman, John Lewis, after a scheduled speech at the school.

Unbridled enthusiasm danced in my mind for a grand total of seven minutes before I recalled the only thing comparable to dining with a Congressman, dinners with the deacons at my old church. Would he be like that—watchful eyes peering at me, explaining what my generation was doing wrong, poking his salad fork at me with instructions of what I should and should not do?

I cannot be sure, but I think I had a few nervous skin breakouts as the date of the lunch approached. When it finally came, I lingered outside a restaurant way too pricey for my college budget and listened to the sounds of my churning stomach. I visualized the table settings, gave myself a pep talk, checked my breath and entered to meet my fate.

After introductions over a reassuringly familiar southern lunch and iced tea, I waited for the friendly eyes to morph into laser beams. I waited for him to tell me what the youth was doing wrong. I waited for him to give me a history lesson. After all, I loved history. What was one more class going to hurt? I waited for him to tell me what I should be doing with my life. Instead, I partook in one of the best conversations of my life.

What are your dreams, Dawn?

Let me tell you some stories about...

How do you feel about…?

I left feeling as if I could do anything.

By removing modals that are a turnoff such as “you should,” and employing two-way dialogue and storytelling, Congressman Lewis had me rushing to my guidance counselor's office prepared to give up my writing dreams to pursue a law degree. Writing won out. My belief that I could cause a change did not fade. And it did not depend on the powerful words of the 2008 election because years ago, a brilliant activist (and my mother) told me I had the power to change the world.

Something magically happens when you approach people you want to adopt your cause without sanctimony. Novel tricks such as a real conversation, removing modals from your lexicon, and using Story can work wonders to draw in people. When you get good at it, you can empower people to do anything. If you are really good, your audience will do anything for you and your cause.

Did you catch the hidden message, activists?