Why every newsroom needs a little Star Trek

Growing up in the 60's you couldn't help but be excited by the space program. So when Star Trek hit the air in 1966, I was hooked... first by the sci-fi concept, then by the characters. Often, in the back of my mind, I wondered if there was a real life career out there that offered the camaraderie and teamwork that seemed to come with serving on a starship. Wouldn't it be cool to work with people all working toward one goal?

Other than the military or a sports team, I couldn't think of anything. Until I got my first look at a newsroom in college. Then it hit me. A newsroom, a really good newsroom, is just like the bridge of the Enterprise.

Some of my newsrooms were like that. I've had a few News Directors like Captain Kirk, firm but fair. (We'll leave Kirk's skirt chasing tendencies out of this discussion.) Every good newsroom has a walking encyclopedia like Spock, a logical voice of reason. Maybe it's the Executive Producer, the Chief Photographer, or the Assignment Editor. Maybe it's the senior anchor or reporter. And every good newsroom has a team of people working toward a common goal.

Trust me, if you ever end up in a newsroom like this, it's like the best job in the world. You come to work energized. If the reporter at the next desk needs help, you pull out all the stops. You pull your own weight, focused on the goal of being part of a great product. You'd do anything for the ND, and he'd do everything to protect you.

Of course if you don't have a Captain Kirk running your newsroom, you may as well defect from the Federation and hook up with the Klingons.

Too many newsrooms these days have a "me first" mentality, and granted, much of that is due to the fact that employees are treated like dirt in some stations. Why should you kill yourself for someone who is mean to you? But you have to bury to factors that can make a newsroom dysfunctional and look at the big picture. Be part of the team, and eventually you'll find your way to a place that appreciates you, because you'll have that reputation.

For those of you who have never watched Star Trek, I encourage you to check out the movie opening today. Then imagine what your newsroom could be like with the same kind of team spirit.

One of Spock's most famous lines is, "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Or the one."

Think about that for a moment, and maybe you'll understand the basic concept of a great newsroom.