Captain's Log: There's Coffee in That Nebula
I was having my second cup of coffee this morning, and I found myself thinking about one of my favorite starship captains and her famous line: "There's coffee in that nebula!"
And yes, I said it out loud. To myself. In an empty room.
Odin (our cat) just stared at me like I'd grown another head.
But that moment of nerdery sparked an idea I'm super excited to share with you.
Starting today, I'm launching "Captain's Log Mondays" - where each week we'll explore how the captains and crews of various starships can teach us about leading with authenticity, vision, and heart.
Bold statement right here: if you're an entrepreneur, you are a leader. Maybe you're leading a small community, a team, or even yourself right now - but you're charting your own brand new course through the final frontier.
Captain Janeway's leadership journey speaks volumes about what it means to Know Thyself, Grasshopper (one of my epic engagement principles).
When her ship was stranded 70,000 light years from home with limited resources, a mixed crew, and enemies at every turn, she didn't just survive... she thrived.
While others saw a dangerous cloud of space dust, she saw coffee - or more specifically, she saw opportunity where others saw only obstacles.
It doesn't matter what you see in that nebula. It matters what SHE sees in that nebula.
This is what makes great leaders different. They know exactly what makes them unique:
Using their background to spot insights others miss (like Janeway's science background)
Being willing to take calculated risks (even when facing organ stealing aliens)
Seeing possibilities where others see dead ends
Entrepreneurs aren't all that different from these visionary leaders. In this wild digital universe, we need to spot our own "coffee in the nebula" moments.
This matters so darn much right now.
In the last month alone, I've talked to so many heart-driven creatives who are trying to do exactly what everyone else is doing. Posting the same content. Using the same scripts. Following the same "proven formulas."
Seriously, though... if you're just another ship in the fleet, nobody's ever going to remember you. Especially when they need a captain for their mission.
Like that time I tried to be a "proper business coach" and eliminated all my nerdy references and silly jokes. I had to be a "professional".
Legolassandra also feels a little out of place today.
You know what happened. Because it's what always happens. My engagement fell through the floor. People were like, "Who is this boring pod person and what did she do with RJ?"
The nebula I needed to fly into wasn't trying to be more professional — it was embracing my quirky, cape-wearing, nerdy self even more.
This week, I want you to channel your inner Janeway. Identify what makes YOU uniquely qualified to serve your people. What's your personal nebula that others might miss?
Maybe it's your unusual combination of skills (like my weird mix of tech-geekery and human connection). Maybe it's a perspective that comes from your unique life experiences. Or maybe it's your gloriously authentic voice that breaks all the "proper business" rules.
Once you've identified it, don't just acknowledge it — celebrate it. Make it the centerpiece of your next piece of content. Let it influence how you show up.
Because just like Janeway knew that sometimes the journey itself can become the mission, you need to embrace what makes you different to stand out in this crowded digital landscape.
