🖖Captain's Log: The real Picard manoeuvre

Our scene opens on a sci-fi show when everything's going to straight to hell: shields failing, scary aliens charging weapons, dramatic music definitely swelling.

It's so easy to panic and go all authoritarian on everyone. But – there's always that leader who somehow stays impossibly calm.

Jean-Luc Picard (bald guy, fancy uniform, drinks way too much Earl Grey tea) has this genius leadership move where instead of pretending he's got all the answers, he just turns to his crew and says, "Options?"

"Space is vast. But this ale list? Even more so." Leonardo is our brand new waitstaff. We pay him in Earl Grey tea leaves.

That moment. Right there. Pure leadership gold. (And yes, non-Trekkies, you can totally steal this technique without watching seven seasons and four movies. Your call, though – they're pretty awesome.)

Here's what fascinates me: Even with certain doom approaching, Picard never does that ego-driven "I alone can fix it" BS.

Instead, he creates sacred space for his crew: Worf's tactical brilliance, Data's logical superpowers, and Troi's empathic wisdom. He deeply understands that every single soul on that bridge brings unique magic worth hearing.

This, my friend, is exactly Engagement Maneuver Ten in action: Co-Create With Your Audience!

The most extraordinary experiences aren't delivered to people—they're crafted with them.

When you invite your community into the creative process, something electric happens. Your audience transforms from passive consumers into passionate co-creators who feel bone-deep ownership in the journey you're taking together.

Because nothing brings people together like a shared vision—and a glowing fermentation orb.

I discovered this transformation firsthand when I started asking "Options?" to my own crew. The moment I began inviting my community to help shape programs and adventures, everything shifted.

People showed up differently. Their energy? Off-the-charts. Their commitment? Next-level epic.

Try this simple experiment: Before launching your next offering, gather a few trusted community members and vulnerably share your early concepts. Ask them what would make your offer absolutely irresistible.

Then (here's the magic part) actually implement their brilliance instead of just nodding politely while secretly planning to do whatever you wanted anyway. Revolutionary concept, I know!

The most vibrant, alive communities aren't just following some self-important "visionary" leader—they're actively building something meaningful together. Just like Picard's legendary crew but with hopefully fewer alien invasions and time paradoxes.

What tiny co-creation experiment could you launch this week? Reply and tell me what you try.

I'm here for you when you make this shift.