Picard's command style and a college project

[sbk1234]

Here's the thing. My wife - a non-fan- has a college assignement to annalyze the leadership style of a fictional character. To ensure my help, she chose Capt. Picard. However, since the presentation is supposed to include clips, and I'm limited by technology (i.e. I only have the movies, but no episodes on DVD) what would be the best examples from the TNG movies to highlight Picard's command style?

A few examples from the series could be helpful, but I really want to limit it mostly to the movies since finding clips will be too difficult from the series.

Thanks, all.

 

[CaptainJon]

It's hard to find any really good examples of Picard's "true leadership" style in the movies, but I'll do my best.

Generations
I think the best example is the scene in Stellar Cartography with Data, where he is understanding of Data's struggle with emotions, yet insists on Data continuing to help.

Just hit a road block with the rest of the movies, because I can't think of any more good examples! Maybe someone else will think of more.

 

[T'Cal]

Seek out the book, "Make It So: Leadership Lessons from Star Trek: The Next Generation." Per Amazon.com's review, "The author stays within the fictitious framework of the series in getting his message across. Capt. Picard keeps a journal of his adventures (familiar to Star Trek viewers) in which he analyzes the leadership qualities required for a successful outcome. They include the ability to focus on a mission, purposeful action, effective communication, teamwork and honor. By using the captain as a role model, Roberts makes no allowances for human frailty. Alleged readers of the journal are candidates for the Starfleet Academy, where potential space age leaders are groomed and trained."

It's written as a journel to the Admiral in charge of Starfleet Academy for use in leadership classes for new cadets. It's a great read that uses actual episodes to highlight certain traits exhibited by Picard and crew, and that he recommends for new officers. After each synopsis, there is a summary that helps to apply each trait to real life situations and not just fictional ones. Enjoy!
http://www.amazon.com/Make-So-Leadership-Lessons-Generation/dp/0671520970

 

[Snaploud]

Here's a good one from "Who Watches the Watchers" (season 3, episode 4):

Picard has to convince someone that he is not a god. He has to lead that person to a particular worldview.

"Look at me...feel the warmth of my hand, the rhythm of my pulse. I'm not a supreme being. I'm flesh and blood, like you."
"Not like me."
"Like you. Different in appearance, yes, but we are both living beings. We are born, we grow, we live, and we die. In all the ways that matter, we are alike."
- Picard and Nuria, just after Nuria is beamed aboard the Enterprise



"Nuria, your people live in huts. Was it always so?"
"No. We have found remnants of tools in caves. Our ancestors must have lived there."
"So why do you now live in huts?"
"Huts are better. Caves are dark and wet."
"So if huts are better, why did you once live in caves?"
"The most reasonable explanation would be that at one time we did not know how to make huts."
"Just as at one time, you did not know how to weave cloth, how to make a bow..."
"That would be reasonable."
"Someone invented a hut. Someone invented a bow, who taught others, who taught their children, who built a stronger hut, who built a better bow, who taught their children. Now, Nuria, suppose one of your cave-dwelling ancestors could see you as you are today. What would she think?"
"I don't know."
"Well, put yourself in her place. You see, she cannot kill a Hornbuck at a great distance. You can, you have a power she lacks."
"Only because I have a bow."
"She has never seen a bow. It doesn't yet exist in her world. To you, it's a simple tool. To her, it's magic."
"I suppose she might think so."
"And how would she react to you?"
"I think she would fear me."
"Just as you fear me."
"I do not fear you any longer."
"Good. That's good. You see, my people once lived in caves, too, and we learned to build huts...and, in time, to build ships like this one."
"Perhaps one day, my people will travel above the skies..."
"Of that, I have absolutely no doubt."

- Picard and Nuria, in the Enterprise observation lounge


Logic, emotion (strength, empathy, etc.), the socratic method, etc...

 

[Triskelion]

Go to sites like this one:
http://movies.trekcore.com/generations/quotes.html

Click the films and search for any Picard quotes to give you a quick overview.
There are plenty of dialogue snippets you could piece together into some kind of thematic whole, and which can help you search the films without watching the whole thing.

I did it for you but it was erased and once was my limit! Sorry, Good luck, sounds like a good paper!

 

[darthgordon]

To be honest, the movies aren't exactly a good example of Picard's abilities as a leader. The only real thing that was ever exhibited in them as a good leadership trait was the running trend that he had to push aside some sort of emotional problem of his own in order to save his ship and crew.

The best displays are in the series starting as far back as "Encounter at Farpoint." When we first see Picard with Riker he seems like a bit of a hard ass. This is actually fairly common when officers take command (I've seen it firsthand several times). When you take command you act tough and assert your authority. Once your subordinates know you’re in command and that you're not going to take any crap, you gradually lighten up.

Picard often called meetings with his department heads and listened to all of the options and opinions, but still maintained control of the meeting. He weighed all the options and made the final decision. This is fairly common in leadership roles… and shown in many episodes of TNG.

He explains to Beverly in "Attached" that sometimes a leader doesn't really know the answer but has to make a decision based on a guess. He essentially has to fake his confidence in his decision even though he has no idea. This is obviously something done to get people to follow you and maintain confidence in you as a leader.

Showing confidence in your decisions is very important in leadership. Whether good or bad, you know that you will accept the consequences of your actions.

These are just a few examples. I’ll throw in some more when I have more time.

 

[Snaploud]

He explains to Beverly in "Attached" that sometimes a leader doesn't really know the answer but has to make a decision based on a guess. He essentially has to fake his confidence in his decision even though he has no idea. This is obviously something done to get people to follow you and maintain confidence in you as a leader.

Another example is when Picard explains to Data that excessive honesty can be dangerous in a leader ("The Ensigns of Commander"). In that same episode, Picard shows a great deal of flexibility by switching tactics from emotional appeals to legalese.

"I here by formally request third party arbitration of our dispute."
"You have the right"
"Futher more [...] I name the Grizellas to arbitrate."
"Grizellas?!"
"Unfortunately they are currently in their hibernation cycle. However they will awaken in six months, at which time we'll get this matter settled. Now do you want to wait? Or give me my three weeks?"
- Picard, taking advantage of a clause in the Treaty of Armens and Sheliak

 

[CaptainJon]

He explains to Beverly in "Attached" that sometimes a leader doesn't really know the answer but has to make a decision based on a guess. He essentially has to fake his confidence in his decision even though he has no idea. This is obviously something done to get people to follow you and maintain confidence in you as a leader.

Another example is when Picard explains to Data that excessive honesty can be dangerous in a leader ("The Ensigns of Commander"). In that same episode, Picard shows a great deal of flexibility by switching tactics from emotional appeals to legalese.

"I here by formally request third party arbitration of our dispute."
"You have the right"
"Futher more [...] I name the Grizellas to arbitrate."
"Grizellas?!"
"Unfortunately they are currently in their hibernation cycle. However they will awaken in six months, at which time we'll get this matter settled. Now do you want to wait? Or give me my three weeks?"
- Picard, taking advantage of a clause in the Treaty of Armens and Sheliak

Absolutely awesome scene! It cracks me up every time, especially when he just cuts them off (like they've been doing to him the entire time), goes to the dedication plate and checks it for dust while the Sheliak keep trying to hail him! Great scene!

 

[Holdfast]

Picard has pretty much a classic INTJ personality. That alone makes him a very effective manager. That's his leadership style - a confident, authoritative manager who inspires quiet confidence in those under his command. The reason is that he's able to always keep the big picture in mind while being aware of enough little details to help him through difficult situations.

The Sheliak situation described above is one example. Another is in Symbiosis, where he complies with the Prime Directive in a very clever way. A further example is The Defector, where he retains the presence of mind in a very politically complex situation to get cloaked Klingon warships to provide backup when entering the Neutral Zone. His delicate managing of the dual roles of Starfleet Captain and Arbiter of Klingon Succession again show this ability to weigh up different priorities well. It's all about good judgement.

One flaw is occasional over-confidence in his abilities (again, quite a typical INTJ trait). But given how often he's right, that's excusable. His other problem is struggling with his own emotions when very severely pressed - most of the time he's able to control them superbly. But when the emotional reserve is broken, it's broken big-time and his ability to make hard choices turns into stubborness.

The movies tend to show him when the reserve is broken (Generations, First Contact and Insurrection all have scenes of this) and as such do not really consistently show him in a good leadership/managerial light. However there are snippets - the scene with Data in the astrophysics lab in Generations, Picard deciding to break orders to engage the Borg in FC and calmly taking charge of the battle, the light-hearted quip to Data about "turning off emotions" which will have helped steady the troops behind, as well as his resolution to evacuate after the huge bust-up with Lily in his Ready Room and the apology to Worf.