http://psychoticbiotic.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] psychoticbiotic.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2014-05-16 09:53 am

Teamwork for Jerks, Friday

“Today we’re going to talk conflict resolution,” Jack began, as she welcomed the students to a standard classroom with chairs set in a circle. “Now, maybe you’re lucky. Maybe you’re some freaky gentle soul who loves everyone you’ve ever met. But for most of us, that ain’t going to happen. There’s going to be at least one person on any squad who you could drop out of an airlock and go away whistling.

“For me, it was this woman who worked for a group that tortured me when I was a kid. Not her fault – she was a kid back then too – but she didn’t want to admit the group maybe had a couple little problems for something like that to happen. We came this close to just having a throwdown before our commander told us to knock it the f- the heck off and concentrate on our real problem. Turned out she was right.

“And that’s the main thing you got to remember when you’re trying to work with somebody you can’t stand. They may be a total jerk, but they’re still on your team. Trying to kill them means you’re wasting energy that could go to killing an actual bad guy.

“There are a couple ways you can resolve the situation. You can agree to disagree and just drop it. You can find a compromise, which means everybody is equally unhappy but not totally screwed. You can just avoid the person you're fighting with. Or you can find somebody to mediate the fight.”

She went around the circle of students, handing out slips of paper. “Each of you now has an issue with the person sitting next to you. You get to try to work it out. If you need a mediator, raise your hand and I’ll come on over.”

Re: Pair Off & Discuss {05/16}

[identity profile] dauntless-four.livejournal.com 2014-05-16 02:48 pm (UTC)(link)
"Maybe I was looking for proof that you've ever taken a driving course," Four retorted.

Re: Pair Off & Discuss {05/16}

[identity profile] notaweenie.livejournal.com 2014-05-16 02:54 pm (UTC)(link)
"I've been driving since I was eight," Barry shot back. "I know exactly what I'm doing. And my stuff can fucking hurt somebody if you mess with it. You don't want that."

Re: Pair Off & Discuss {05/16}

[identity profile] dauntless-four.livejournal.com 2014-05-16 03:17 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm not afraid of your stuff," Four replied, rolling his eyes.

Re: Pair Off & Discuss {05/16}

[identity profile] notaweenie.livejournal.com 2014-05-16 03:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Barry groaned. "It's not about being afraid, you-"

Barry swallowed the insult and started again. This was about conflict resolution, right?

"My stuff could kill you or turn you into a blob of protoplasmic goo," Barry said struggling to maintain politeness. "Can we compromise? Stay out of my stuff and I'll check the rear view mirror. Occasionally."
Edited 2014-05-16 15:22 (UTC)

Re: Pair Off & Discuss {05/16}

[identity profile] dauntless-four.livejournal.com 2014-05-16 03:27 pm (UTC)(link)
"I stay out of your stuff and you look in the rear view mirror and use your turn signal. Most of the time."

Re: Pair Off & Discuss {05/16}

[identity profile] notaweenie.livejournal.com 2014-05-16 03:29 pm (UTC)(link)
"Fine. But lay off me about riding the brake. That's what it's for. It slows and stops the effing car."

Re: Pair Off & Discuss {05/16}

[identity profile] dauntless-four.livejournal.com 2014-05-16 04:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Peaceful negotiation, Four reminded himself. "Fine. Deal."