On StarTrek’s Next Generation, the Starship USS Enterprise-D sports a unique bar that has an equally uncommon bartender. The Ten Forward is a lounge on the tenth deck of the Enterprise commanded by Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) who leads its intergalactic missions. For the many thousands of crew members of 13 species aboard the Starship, the bar is the place to go – the “hub of the ship’s social activity,” according to the Captain.
A needed breathing space after space work, the Ten Forward affords an intimate atmosphere for connections to take place. Whether crew go to just converse or to play a space game, the Ten Forward is where all are known and are welcome. But the most important crew member in the Ten Forward is its bartender, Guinan (Whoopi Goldberg). (Image:Memory Alpha)
Guinan is an El-Aurian known as a race of Listeners. “I tend bar,” says Guinan, “and I listen.” Many on the Enterprise, including the Captain, take a break, go to the Ten Forward – and seek Guinan. She calmly hands them a beverage as they confide their hopes or concerns on subjects ranging from relationships with family and friends to the uncertainties of exploring space and time. “To boldly go where none have been before”, is Star Trek’s continuing mission, but is anything but easy. Guinan understands their challenges and listens, serving just what they really came to the bar to get. She responds with an observation or suggestion. She is quiet, confident and seems to impart the same quiet confidence in each who comes knowing they have a trusted confidant in this bartender who genuinely cares. She is a leader but one who does not direct, formally counsel, or coach. She is, I propose, a Space Whisperer – with a large heart who warmly employs a wealth of Emotional Intelligence (Emotional intelligence – Wikipedia) to support personal and mission success on the Starship.
Guinan’s power as a leader is because she is a Space Whisperer: She respects the intelligence and leadership of the crew and reciprocates with insights and new perspectives. She listens to understand and encourages seekers to determine their own answers since, she knows, they are the ones who are ultimately in charge of their own choices and destinies.
Guinan shares her wisdom and intuition gained from her centuries-long life. Guinan’s genius is how she serves – and shows that she serves much more than beverages. Here are the key leadership lessons we can take from Guinan::
- Listen and observe. She reads signals and intuits the motives and needs of others. She has earned their trust to share their sensitive information.
- Remind and encourage. She reminds them of their own positive traits and successes, encourages them to have confidence and believe in themselves.
- Suggest other ways to look at challenges. She offers new perspectives. She feels that positive outcomes will prevail, which diminishes uncertainty and renews courage.
Guinan, Space Whisper, is a trusted source. The Ten Forward is a safe place. The Whisperer and the lounge embolden the crew to carry on as they face a galaxy of unknowns. The combination is indispensable in space and on Earth too.
Guinan – Her traits as Bartender on the Ten Forward:
Guinan’s traits support a highly intelligent crew. She supports their mission, the challenges they each face, and their lives.
I propose the same support be created for astronauts on long space flights. They need the kind of support of a Space Whisperer. My team and I are designing a way for a suggesting, collaborating, confidant – to help them stay connected to Earth, stay strong,
And most of all to stay hopeful.
Stay Tuned for more.