"Getting it done" vs. "Making it so"?

[suarezguy]

I'd prefer working for Picard; not every situation is a crisis. I don't know how Jellico would act outside of one, but I think Picard would adapt well to one.

 

[Sector 7]

Jellico did not care for Picard's style of command.
Jellico knew Riker was not considered qualified to command in this crisis by the Admiralty. Therefore, he had no confidence in Riker.
Jellico had battle command experience.
Jellico felt this crew was not ready, nor disciplined enough for battle.
Jellico needed to whip them into ship shape and he needed to do it fast.

Therefore, Jellico did what was necessary in the situation. The change in shift rotation is like boot camp: new recruits are often used to sleeping in, it is a shock to have someone beat a metal trash can at 5:30 a.m., but that is what they do to get new recruits into a new, fast paced training routine.

I still believe Captain Jellico was the right man for the right time. The Enterprise crew needed to be ready for battle. He was also the right man to deal with the Cardassians. His 'insane' act was calculated to deal with the Cardassian military culture and mindset. Jellico understood his enemy and how to deal with them, just as Wesley was tested in the hallway and correctly responded by being 'rude' and 'in your face' at Starfleet Academy. The viewers initially responded with "WTF is he doing?" but he was absolutely correct in that situation. So was Captain Jellico in his situation.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Here's the thing with the consensus versus dictation style debate, Jellico regardless of style is NOT a good commander/manager, or at least demonstrated improper decision making at times. Yes, he needed Enterprise ready for combat. Yes, he needed Data and Geordi to overhaul the ship. Yes, he needed extra drills. However, it is asinine to completely alter the shift rotation while in the middle of this. It adds completely unnecessary complications to an already rushed situation. Riker was correct to put this off until notifying the captain (who should have known already) of the situation. Jellico had an improper reaction of making Data his de facto first officer even before he made it official. He took it personal.

I don't know how many people here have training or experience in project or crisis management, but in such a crisis you have two directives. 1) Do everything you can to prepare for the crisis, starting with the most crucial or time consuming parts first. 2) Delay anything that (while it may slightly improve productivity or better suit your management style, including personnel) is unnecessary to the crisis until it's over or there is nothing else for you to prepare.

Pretty much my thoughts. The shift from three rotations to four would have made sense if they had time. They didn't have time. Yes, Jellico was right they could have closed labs and things like that. Riker should have realized that as an XO trying to implement his boss' policy. But Jellico also was new to the ship and should have not only worked out with Riker how to implement any necessary changes, but sought feedback. Does he have to agree with the feedback? No. But he needed to have worked with his crew.

BTW, he was actually tactful with Troi. He explained his reasons and gave his order/request in a relatively polite way. He never came close to this with his executive officer. Granted, it obviously would have taken time that he might not have had, but I think it would have led to productive results.

 

[STR]

Ohhh yeah, that was my favorite thing Jellico did--making Troi dress as a PROFESSIONAL.

I can only imagine what he would've had to say about Seven of Nine...I would seriously buy tickets to see THAT.

Seven didn't choose her wardrobe; the Doctor did. And since Seven wasn't Starfleet - and therefore not entitled to wear a uniform - what do you suggest she should have worn?

Normal civvies, as soon as medically possible (IF there was ever any medical reason for the catsuit in the first place). Something that looks decent and is also good for moving around in, but won't choke the life out of the person wearing it.

Exactly, she should have been given a worn-in set of sweats.

 

[STR]

Therefore, Jellico did what was necessary in the situation. The change in shift rotation is like boot camp: new recruits are often used to sleeping in, it is a shock to have someone beat a metal trash can at 5:30 a.m., but that is what they do to get new recruits into a new, fast paced training routine.

Boot camp isn't a crisis situation involving a combat asset. Boot camp is taking unmolded raw dough and building it into something usable (but often not 100% complete) by front-line commanders. You do NOT take a front-line team and send them back to boot camp so they can be broken down and retrained in your mold, unless 1)they're incompetent, and 2) you have the time to do it.

Look, this isn't about authoritarian command style (AKA Classical Theory Management), or about Jellico's combat or diplomatic ability, it's about how Jellico had really screwed up priorities.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Seven didn't choose her wardrobe; the Doctor did. And since Seven wasn't Starfleet - and therefore not entitled to wear a uniform - what do you suggest she should have worn?

Normal civvies, as soon as medically possible (IF there was ever any medical reason for the catsuit in the first place). Something that looks decent and is also good for moving around in, but won't choke the life out of the person wearing it.

Exactly, she should have been given a worn-in set of sweats.

FWIW, didn't the Doctor say that Seven's wardrobe (particularly the silver metallic suit) was chosen partly because her body structure was adapting to the sudden lack of Borg tech?

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ It's not Jellico's fault that the engineering crew were so inefficient that they couldn't get the work done on time.

oh, please. Geordi? Inefficient? Thats a laugh and a half.

Really? Just because Geordi's a main character on the show doesn't mean he's a god of engineering. He can make mistakes. He's not perfect.

And while Geordi could have been an efficient engineer for the way Picard wanted things run, it's his responsibility to adapt to Jellico's orders (not the other way around). Jellico was the captain. If he says get it done, then get it the fuck DONE! If Geordi can't do that, then tough cookies for him. He HAS to get it done. As Gene Kranz might say, "Failure is not an option."