Newspaper Owners Can Take Cues From J.J. Abrams's Star Trek
Judy Howard Ellis
Contributor
Posted:
05/13/09
Unpredictability.
No one likes this word these days, especially newspaper owners. It demands more than a month's worth of work to overhaul an archaic business model to reach a Twitter- and Facebook-driven culture. I get it. It was easier to navigate the future without upstart, non-journalistic competitors, easier to rely on dependable margins and loyal readers who accessed information the same way they had since World War II.
But clinging to anxiety or the possibility of a bailout will not make the era of unpredictability less difficult or mind-bending. Maybe forward-thinking newspaper owners should clear their schedules this afternoon, turn off their BlackBerrys, cancel the meeting with classified advertising managers, resist micromanaging the editors who are putting together tomorrow's newspaper, get someone else to pick up the kids, and go to a movie.
Gene Roddenberry's vision of space travel, moral choices, frightening odds and geeky smarts – as re-imagined by J.J. Abrams in the new "Star Trek" – is worth an afternoon off. The traditional mindset says solid business concepts arise only from proven principles and past history. In the midst of enormous change, however, anything and anyone may carry an essential, salvific nugget of truth.
If newspaper owners watched "Star Trek" – not with 60s nostalgia and not as film critics – the movie could serve as a mental trampoline that stirred them to boldly dream and act in this chaotic time. Abrams may not have satisfied all Trekkies with this prequel and its use of an alternative reality, but he did honor the iconic value of these characters:
· Captain Christopher Pike: A veteran leader. Pike recognizes James T. Kirk's potential and dares him to step up. Pike understands that personal sacrifice and courage still matter. He does not back away from offering Kirk a chance. Pike is also an example of a veteran who is not intimidated by the gifts of the young. He is surrounded by cadets, sometimes bumbling and showing off, but he taps each of their skills during a time of crisis. He knows how to work with the bench that he has. Journalism offers our country the sacred opportunity to freely tell the stories of our people, to hold our leaders accountable and to preserve our history. What journalists do matters and journalists must confidently – not arrogantly – recruit people to entrust with the craft. Those who do not fit the traditional mold of what makes a "solid journalist" should not be turned away – especially if they have an intrinsic passion for what journalists do.
· Dr. Leonard McCoy (Bones): A world-weary physician who scores high on emotional intelligence. McCoy also quickly identifies Kirk's talent and leadership – even if his skills are still in their genesis. He places his career on the line to help launch that talent. Newsroom structures and processes that squeeze out fresh thinking have to go. The hierarchies of many newsrooms must be replaced by a decentralized version that allows no compromise on ethics, but generously rewards creativity and from-the-ranks-up leadership. Creativity should be valued and prioritized, not tolerated or penalized.
· James T. Kirk: An energized, risk-taking leader who is perpetually bruised and scraped. Kirk fights. He also trusts his skills and knowledge, and knows the power of unpredictable actions in the face of traditional logic. The causes for the problems in journalism are many, and the odds of surviving are staggering, but if Kirk led a newsroom, he would not draw his energy through traditional business models alone. He would understand the importance of institutional memory. He would pursue the unexpected to achieve greater returns. And he wouldn't be scared to take risks.
· Spock the Younger: A thoughtful leader and a picture of self-awareness. The young Spock does not view himself as disadvantaged because his mom isn't a Vulcan. He does not drink the Kool-Aid that would hinder him with a victim mentality before his career even begins. He embraces all sides of who he is and is even able to resign his post when he makes a mistake in judgment. Journalists – and their bosses – should be conscious of their skills, weaknesses and humanity and serve readers accordingly. Transparency is an attractive gift readers will accept.
· Nyota Uhuru: A savvy leader who recognizes the field of play. Uhuru also knows her skills are portable and in demand. She wants to be a part of the USS Enterprise – and I choose to believe it is not just because of Spock the Younger! Journalists must know their field of play. In the past, train companies lost business because they thought they were in the train business. Train companies were in the transportation business. Journalists are in the business of delivering reliable information. High-quality information can be offered on any platform and in just about any form readers want it. Journalism is the essential thing, not whether it is delivered to someone's door or produced in a cavernous building on a corner downtown.
· Scotty: A capable leader who is hidden from view. Scotty may have been pining away in an obscure outpost, but the dreams in his head and the skills in his hands one day would save the Enterprise. A discerning newsroom leader will scoop up the person with the ideas, if not the know-how to execute, even if those ideas initially seem far-fetched. Champion the Scotties in a news organization.
· Hikaru Sulu: A skilled leader who is underestimated by his peers. Sulu's fencing ability initially may seem unneeded, but it isn't. Every skill is an asset. Sulu also is a leader who responds at the right moment. Newsrooms are filled with Sulus who are extremely capable but they excel, even when unrecognized. When the opportunity arrives to show they have what it takes, they prove it every time.
· Pavel Chekov: An effective and compassionate leader. Chekov knows his skills and pitches in where he can deliver the results. He also demonstrates compassion. Newsrooms are filled with people like Chekov who are quality journalists and compassionate human beings. Newspaper owners can learn from the intuitive skills these leaders display and seek to practice them.
· Spock the Elder: A leader who has learned from his mistakes. Spock is able to see himself as a young man and as an old one. He knows what happened in between, how he and Kirk moved past antagonism to deep friendship. He knows the intricate dance of logic, risk and common sense. He also honors the past. Newspaper owners may not have a chance to change time like Spock does in Abrams' story, but they can step into the archives of their organization and review their history at a moment's notice. They can explore journalism's rich history and then act and respond, moving with a Spock-like audacity and grace.
Maybe at least one newspaper owner will view "Star Trek" the way I do. I hope that person settles into a seat in a theater, crunches greasy popcorn, dreams outlandishly, and enjoys a box of Junior Mints for me.
No one likes this word these days, especially newspaper owners. It demands more than a month's worth of work to overhaul an archaic business model to reach a Twitter- and Facebook-driven culture. I get it. It was easier to navigate the future without upstart, non-journalistic competitors, easier to rely on dependable margins and loyal readers who accessed information the same way they had since World War II.
But clinging to anxiety or the possibility of a bailout will not make the era of unpredictability less difficult or mind-bending. Maybe forward-thinking newspaper owners should clear their schedules this afternoon, turn off their BlackBerrys, cancel the meeting with classified advertising managers, resist micromanaging the editors who are putting together tomorrow's newspaper, get someone else to pick up the kids, and go to a movie.
Gene Roddenberry's vision of space travel, moral choices, frightening odds and geeky smarts – as re-imagined by J.J. Abrams in the new "Star Trek" – is worth an afternoon off. The traditional mindset says solid business concepts arise only from proven principles and past history. In the midst of enormous change, however, anything and anyone may carry an essential, salvific nugget of truth.
If newspaper owners watched "Star Trek" – not with 60s nostalgia and not as film critics – the movie could serve as a mental trampoline that stirred them to boldly dream and act in this chaotic time. Abrams may not have satisfied all Trekkies with this prequel and its use of an alternative reality, but he did honor the iconic value of these characters:
· Captain Christopher Pike: A veteran leader. Pike recognizes James T. Kirk's potential and dares him to step up. Pike understands that personal sacrifice and courage still matter. He does not back away from offering Kirk a chance. Pike is also an example of a veteran who is not intimidated by the gifts of the young. He is surrounded by cadets, sometimes bumbling and showing off, but he taps each of their skills during a time of crisis. He knows how to work with the bench that he has. Journalism offers our country the sacred opportunity to freely tell the stories of our people, to hold our leaders accountable and to preserve our history. What journalists do matters and journalists must confidently – not arrogantly – recruit people to entrust with the craft. Those who do not fit the traditional mold of what makes a "solid journalist" should not be turned away – especially if they have an intrinsic passion for what journalists do.
· Dr. Leonard McCoy (Bones): A world-weary physician who scores high on emotional intelligence. McCoy also quickly identifies Kirk's talent and leadership – even if his skills are still in their genesis. He places his career on the line to help launch that talent. Newsroom structures and processes that squeeze out fresh thinking have to go. The hierarchies of many newsrooms must be replaced by a decentralized version that allows no compromise on ethics, but generously rewards creativity and from-the-ranks-up leadership. Creativity should be valued and prioritized, not tolerated or penalized.
· James T. Kirk: An energized, risk-taking leader who is perpetually bruised and scraped. Kirk fights. He also trusts his skills and knowledge, and knows the power of unpredictable actions in the face of traditional logic. The causes for the problems in journalism are many, and the odds of surviving are staggering, but if Kirk led a newsroom, he would not draw his energy through traditional business models alone. He would understand the importance of institutional memory. He would pursue the unexpected to achieve greater returns. And he wouldn't be scared to take risks.
· Spock the Younger: A thoughtful leader and a picture of self-awareness. The young Spock does not view himself as disadvantaged because his mom isn't a Vulcan. He does not drink the Kool-Aid that would hinder him with a victim mentality before his career even begins. He embraces all sides of who he is and is even able to resign his post when he makes a mistake in judgment. Journalists – and their bosses – should be conscious of their skills, weaknesses and humanity and serve readers accordingly. Transparency is an attractive gift readers will accept.
· Nyota Uhuru: A savvy leader who recognizes the field of play. Uhuru also knows her skills are portable and in demand. She wants to be a part of the USS Enterprise – and I choose to believe it is not just because of Spock the Younger! Journalists must know their field of play. In the past, train companies lost business because they thought they were in the train business. Train companies were in the transportation business. Journalists are in the business of delivering reliable information. High-quality information can be offered on any platform and in just about any form readers want it. Journalism is the essential thing, not whether it is delivered to someone's door or produced in a cavernous building on a corner downtown.
· Scotty: A capable leader who is hidden from view. Scotty may have been pining away in an obscure outpost, but the dreams in his head and the skills in his hands one day would save the Enterprise. A discerning newsroom leader will scoop up the person with the ideas, if not the know-how to execute, even if those ideas initially seem far-fetched. Champion the Scotties in a news organization.
· Hikaru Sulu: A skilled leader who is underestimated by his peers. Sulu's fencing ability initially may seem unneeded, but it isn't. Every skill is an asset. Sulu also is a leader who responds at the right moment. Newsrooms are filled with Sulus who are extremely capable but they excel, even when unrecognized. When the opportunity arrives to show they have what it takes, they prove it every time.
· Pavel Chekov: An effective and compassionate leader. Chekov knows his skills and pitches in where he can deliver the results. He also demonstrates compassion. Newsrooms are filled with people like Chekov who are quality journalists and compassionate human beings. Newspaper owners can learn from the intuitive skills these leaders display and seek to practice them.
· Spock the Elder: A leader who has learned from his mistakes. Spock is able to see himself as a young man and as an old one. He knows what happened in between, how he and Kirk moved past antagonism to deep friendship. He knows the intricate dance of logic, risk and common sense. He also honors the past. Newspaper owners may not have a chance to change time like Spock does in Abrams' story, but they can step into the archives of their organization and review their history at a moment's notice. They can explore journalism's rich history and then act and respond, moving with a Spock-like audacity and grace.
Maybe at least one newspaper owner will view "Star Trek" the way I do. I hope that person settles into a seat in a theater, crunches greasy popcorn, dreams outlandishly, and enjoys a box of Junior Mints for me.