The Scotty Principle

Geordi La Forge is a master engineer, full of brilliance and supreme capabilities. However, when it comes to managing expectations, he has a lot to learn. Montgomery "Scotty" Scott was aligning warp cores and performing miracles when Geordi's great-grandfather was still in diapers. Over the course of his storied and legendary career, Scotty learned how to effectively manage expectations and give himself - and his staff - the wiggle room needed in case the "best case scenario" was simply not going to happen.

Scotty's lesson applies to us all. Yes, we need to find ways to perform miracles when the pressure is on and timelines are tight. However, we must always provide an allowance - even if it is a small one - for unforeseen circumstances, errors, or variables that we did not, or could not, account for.

Montgomery Scott was portrayed by the incomporable James Doohan. Mr. Doohan himself performed miracles, including taking out two snipers as part of the Regina Rifle Regiment, landing at the Nan Sector of Juno Beach on D-Day. Yes, his role as Scotty in Star Trek TV shows and movies was fictional, but the man himself, and the character he brougth to life on screen, was an inspiration to millions, including myself.