Posted by Lieutenant Commander Janusz Korczak (Counselor) in CNS Office - Cadet Douglas Checking in for Psych Evaluation

Posted by Cadet James Hilton Douglas (Scientist) in CNS Office - Cadet Douglas Checking in for Psych Evaluation

Posted by Cadet James Hilton Douglas (Scientist) in CNS Office - Cadet Douglas Checking in for Psych Evaluation
Posted by… suppressed (17) by the Post Ghost! 👻
(Snip)

Douglas, famished at this point stepped towards the replicator. “Thanks,” pressed the replicator facing it. “Irn Bru, 1901 original, 250 millilitres.”

Douglas looking so nervous his fake smile was drowned out by the lack of colour in his face as he hesitantly sat the bright orange drink on the table. Douglas took several seconds to register what is going on and after 30 seconds or so he sat in the chair pressing his lips so hard they were about to bleed. “My file my be… not up to par.”

(Cadet. Douglas. Science)

Korczak looked at the Cadet and cocked his head slightly to the side. “Really? What would lead you to say that, Cadet?” he asked in a friendly manner before taking a seat. Unlike other Counselors, he had no note taking materials or recording devices. He simply sat and listened.

Korczak, CNS

“I,” Douglas took his drink and took a small sip. “I wasn’t exactly the best behaved student at the academy, I was recommended for psychiatric observation… twice” Douglas sighed in defeat. “That was years ago.” Douglas placed his head between his left thumb and index finger. “I’m not sure if I can handle working with people, I’m bad with manners and formality. I like being efficient and I’ve angered every teacher I had even my cello tutor, I don’t know how I did that.” He raised his head. “I’m just not sure.”

(Cadet. Douglas. Science)

Korczak asked, in a tone that conveyed no sense of judgement or condemnation, “What is it about working with others that you find the most difficult, Cadet?”

Korczak, CNS

Douglas squinted his eyes trying to think of what to say, not because he is lacking in the reasons, to many to state. “I don’t refrain to tell people to shut it when I… well when I think I have to.

(Cadet. Douglas. Science)

Korczak chuckled slightly. “I can see why you would think you have difficulties then.” he replied in a warm and friendly fashion. “So let me ask you this, Cadet. When you find it necessary to tell people to… well… shut it… how do you do so? Politely? Confrontational? Are you trying to impart information… or are you trying to show them how smart you are?” There was no judgement in his voice, no criticism. Just questions from a plain man.

Korczak, CNS

“er, usually when people usually speak or are… wrong, not once. When it’s once I just ignore it, but if they keep rambling on,” Douglas tried to get comfortable, “So a little bit of the latter most.” Douglas sounded as he was judging himself, “bad habit.”

(Cadet. Douglas. Science)

“Ok. So how does one break a bad habit?” Korczak asked.

Korczak, CNS

“I guess, maybe try socialise with the first.” Douglas stated quietly.

Koczak smiled slightly and said “This is not a condemnation, Cadet. You are not in trouble here. Now… one breaks a bad habit in stages. First, and what you have already done, is acknowledge the habit. The second step is to identify what triggers that particular habit. So, in this case, its being exposed to multiple errors from a single person. Two down, just a few more steps to go. But this is when the real work begins. Next you have to learn how to deal productively with your trigger. So… how do you think you could make this trigger a positive opportunity instead of a negative?”

Korczak, CNS

Douglas sat for a while trying to think. “Help them instead of telling them to shut up?”

(Cadet. Douglas. Science)

Korczak nodded slightly. “Sure, that may work. And I will say I found during my tenure teaching at the Academy that I learned as much, if not more, trying to teach someone better ways than I did actually doing them.”

Korczak, CNS

“True, but I’m not much of a teacher. Any advice?” Douglas asked questioningly

(Cadet. Douglas. Science)

Korczak replied simply. “Patience. That is the key.”

Korczak, CNS

“Of course, that’s one thing, among others, I’ve learned over the years.” Douglas said as if he was repeating it for the 100th time.

(Cadet. Douglas. Science)

Koczak’s head tilted to the side slightly and his eyes locked onto the Cadet’s. “Then why not implement that lesson? I am quite sure you understand that knowledge not put into application is knowledge that is stagnant.”

Korczak, CNS

“True” Douglas finally was able to relax, “Yeah… Yeah, I’ll work on that, that’s just great!”

(Cadet. Douglas. Science)

Korczak nodded once and then said “So tell me Cadet… for someone who who has a… discomfort… in working around others, why would you choose Star Fleet? There are many other organizations in the private sector that don’t stress the need for such… ‘intimate’… working conditions, such as a star ship or space station. What brought you to this path?”

Korczak, CNS

“I tried with private sectors, either I was denied or I was amused by the work” Douglas tilted his head slightly as explaining this.

(Cadet. Douglas. Science)

Korczak replied “But the private sector has much more leeway in designing work environments for their staff than we do on a star ship. Are you wanting a ship based assignment going forward? Or do you see yourself as more planet or station based?”

Korczak, CNS

“I’m an astronomer, only so much can be done on a station.” Douglas chuckled.

(Cadet. Douglas. Science)

“Mmmm… possibly. So is your desire for knowledge and scientific exploration greater than your disdain for working in a group setting?”

Korczak, CNS

Douglas gave a loud audible chuckle, “Aye, I’d do anything for an opportunity for scientific exploration, no matter what I consider as a maj- minor inconvenience”

(Cadet. Douglas. Science)

Bump

Korczak watched him intently for a moment, and then said “So how do you feel your disdain for working with others will effect those you work with? Those that will need to rely on you for support and assistance?”

Korczak, CNS

Douglas gave a small sigh before closing his eyes. “Guess not too much, may raise my voice a bit, but otherwise, just a drop on my performance”

(Cadet. Douglas. Science)