The Star Trek franchise has seen multiple captains headline the show and lead their crews effectively in the Federation’s diplomatic missions. From Captain Kirk’s swashbuckler personality to Captain Picard’s diplomacy, the show has given many professionals role models in leadership and management.
However, these debates often leave out Captain Kathryn Janeway, the captain of the Voyager. Played by Kate Mulgrew, Captain Janeway’s Voyager was transported to the Delta quadrant, and she had to lead a Federation crew as well as the Maquis back to the Alpha quadrant.
There are several reasons why Captain Janeway was a better captain than others, especially Picard, whose show, The Next Generation, aired at around the same time.
1. Captain Janeway has a scientific background unlike Picard
Not all leaders necessarily come from similar backgrounds. Jean-Luc Picard is evidently more diplomatic and uses it as his strength on most missions. For the more scientific parts of the mission, where they were tasked with exploring parts of the cosmos, he relies on his crew members like Data, William Riker, and Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge.
However, Kate Mulgrew’s Captain Janeway is more involved as she comes from a scientific background. She adds a lot to the conversation through that lens, and still consults her crew for the right decision to make. That does not mean she is any less diplomatic. She certainly is able to go for the most peaceful solution when in conflict.
The Star Trek character, as a scientific mind, also influenced countless women to pursue careers in STEM. Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti even cosplayed as Janeway aboard the International Space Station and even quoted the character’s famous line, ‘There’s coffee in that nebula’ (via Time).
2. Captain Janeway can think on her feet better than Picard
Technically, Captain Janeway and Captain Picard command different levels of Federation ships. While Picard commanded the USS Enterprise-D, Janeway led the Voyager. Picard had a larger ship to navigate, with the Enterprise being equipped with enough resources to last a 10-year mission across the galaxies.
This meant that Picard had to command a ship of close to 1000 crew members, who also had their families. While Captain Janeway’s Voyager had a significantly lower crew count (153 at its highest), here is where it gets interesting. The Voyager was sent only to track a Maquis ship, but it ended up being transported to the Delta Quadrant.
Handling a 150+ crew might be easier than a 1000-member one, but Janeway had to merge the remaining members of the Maquis ship, and their travel time was increased to 75 years. That is significantly more than what the Enterprise had to deal with. Captain Janeway had to improvise and make sure there were enough resources to journey home.
While she dealt with the arduous task of journeying for 75 years, she still had to make sure any new threat or obstacle was met with the right response. Be it de-assimilating a Borg and bringing her into the crew or dealing with Q, she makes quick decisions and brings her ship out of harm.
3. Captain Janeway managed to get most of her crew home despite a 75-year journey and a lack of resources
Captain Janeway had to navigate the 75-year journey back home in the Delta Quadrant while having very little contact with the Federation on Earth. On top of that, she had to deal with a merged crew, part of which was the Maquis, who were branded as a terrorist organization by the Federation. So, tensions were high.
Captain Picard kept to his bridge crew most of the time and did not face an adversity to this level, though he had his moments of heroism. Captain Kathryn Janeway had to increasingly dispel tensions among the Voyager crew and the Maquis, with a ship that had lost many members due to an attack, and in later seasons, a new member associated with the Borg.
Janeway also had to make sure the resources of the ship lasted the 75-year journey, or reduce that time by some miracle, which happens in the series finale. The achievement gives her a legendary status that we see in subsequent shows in the Star Trek franchise.
4. Kathryn Janeway outranks Picard as Admiral
The series finale of Star Trek: Voyager revealed Admiral Janeway as a future/alternate version of the character, who then becomes the sole Janeway in the series. Since then, Kathryn Janeway has appeared as an Admiral and has a legendary status among the Starfleet personnel. Kate Mulgrew reprised the role in Star Trek: Prodigy.
Captain Picard is also promoted to Admiral, but he retires from the Federation in the series Star Trek: Picard. His career, though celebrated, ended prematurely, and he regrets his failure in saving the Romulans from the Hobus supernova. He does quite a few rebellious acts post his retirement, too, and has many disagreements with the Federation.
Admiral Janeway has a long and fruitful career, and she is even referred to in multiple other shows as a valuable resource. She is still in the Federation, unlike Picard, and has a lot of power.
5. Captain Janeway is more hands-on as a leader, unlike Picard
Not to say that Patrick Stewart’s Captain Picard abandons his crew or anything, but his leadership style is more diplomatic than hands-on. He is not that personable, though he has several conversations with his bridge crew. A leader can’t be in touch with everyone in the 1000+ crew, but Picard could do better.
Captain Janeway is a woman of the people. She tries to make sure she is in touch with as many crew members as possible, including the Lower Decks. She also often goes with the team on away missions, unlike Picard, who rarely beamed down. It might be a rule for Star Trek captains to stay with the ship, but Janeway did not care.
Star Trek: Voyager and The Next Generation are available to stream on Paramount+.
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