Leader vs Manager vs Coach: Lessons from Star Trek, the Next Generation

Commander Riker is a manager. He is loyal and relishes serving under Captain Picard, for whom he has deep admiration. Good managers are loyal to a fault, even if they occasionally disagree with their leader. This is their strength, not weakness.

More than once, commander Riker turns down the opportunity to command a ship of his own. At least once, he is accused of "playing it safe" by his superior officers. But commander Riker stands his ground and continues to serve under his captain, even when Captain Picard himself tells him that "there is nothing like having a command of one's own ship." Riker is self-assured enough to not let other people's opinions sway his judgment about what his true calling is.

Good managers have accepted that they are good managers and don't "try to be leaders" despite the often enormous pressure from today's corporate culture that mistakenly equates a leader to a hero and puts her on a pedestal.

Wesley Crusher is a child prodigy who practically grows up on the ship. His special talents are admired by all. He has also won the hearts of most crew members with his self-effacing demeanor and charming manners.

Everyone on the ship thinks he will one day make a fine star-fleet officer. But destiny has other plans. He is "discovered" by a visiting, highly evolved, multi-dimensional entity called the Traveler. The Traveler helps him see his true purpose. Wesley Crusher decides to join the Traveler on his travels through the many dimensions of Existence.

Wesley Crusher is a teacher in making who is lucky enough to receive the guidance of a mentor. He is also fortunate to have a mother and a father-figure (Captain Picard) who understand that his destiny is much greater than the confined existence of a start-fleet officer. They respect his decision to leave the ship - "throw it all away" as many parents would perceive it - and fulfill his true calling.

So why is Deanna Troi, the ship's counselor, not a teacher? She works within the confines of the ship's hierarchy and chain of command, which limits her ability to step outside their boundaries and deliver a fearless opinion to a leader - or to anyone for that matter. She is an employee who is training to be a manager and a leader. Unlike Guinan, who is not beholden to anyone for telling what she perceives as truth, Deanna Troi gives an opinion only when asked for by Captain Piccard. Guinan can - and does, at least once - confront the captain unsolicited and tell him that he is making a mistake, something that would get Deanna Troi in serious trouble.