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Initiative – Chapter 10

Martin ended up waking up earlier than usual. It was the typical last unsettled thing on his mind from the night before preventing him from rolling over for a little more sleep. He got up.

Dressed, and at the breakfast table, he opened his file with the personality descriptions. He didn't have time to spend on it then, but he read, 'ENFPs sometimes make serious errors in judgement. They have an amazing ability to intuitively perceive the truth about a person or situation, but when they apply judgement to their perception, they may jump to the wrong conclusions.'

How do you deal with someone who is just being 'true to type?'

After flipping the course pack to a random page, he started reading about "Social Awareness" - 'Relates to, and is attuned to, the feelings, motives, and concerns of others.' Then he saw "Relationship Management" - 'Responds to the feelings, motives, and concerns of others.' And 'Children observe and model the behaviours they see in others, especially those close to them...'

That was a road he did not want to go down. Besides, he didn't have time for that!

He read, 'So much depends on effective communication. When you are unable to communicate clearly and effectively, the result can be disastrous - the cause of war, the end of a marriage, the loss of a job, the end of a friendship.'

He needed to get ready for the phone interview!

- oo0oo –

The interview preparation asked him to 'Make a list of the people or groups of people at work whose co-operation you need, are not entirely satisfied with or have difficulty getting. (Include superiors, peers, subordinates, customers, vendors – anyone you wish.)'

He wrote, "Schoolteacher." He realized they might see through that, so he added, "Patients, receptionist."

It asked him to 'List the most relevant interactions and/or situations; add anything.'

He wrote, "Receiving criticism myself without appearing defensive" and "Communicating effectively" and "Initiating conversation."

It also asked him, 'What specific effect are you having on people at present – are they being switched on or off by you?'

He wrote, "I answer questions without thinking of how they affect the other person" and "I am not taking enough initiative in improving interactions" and "I don't feel comfortable being complimented." He decided to add that he thought he was good at calming people down and gaining their co-operation when they were resistant, aggressive, complaining or objecting.

Lastly, it asked him to seek feedback.

"Oh, God," he muttered.

- oo0oo –

"Hello," said Roger Fenn. He had been helping Maureen feed their newborn twins, a scenario that had only just turned into a cranky session.

Martin could hear the sound of a baby, two babies actually, crying in the background. He ignored it.

"Roger? I have been told to enroll in a course or my position as GP of Portwenn could be in jeopardy. There is an initial phone call I must make and to prepare for it, I am charged with interviewing someone I've worked with. The question I need answered is: I must find out how I can improve my interactions. I'm not asking you to assess me as a person. It's more I need to know exactly when something I say or do makes you feel good, and when it makes you feel bad. I promise I won't take offence whatever you say. Are you willing?"

Roger had begun to smile during this convoluted inquiry, the most words Martin had ever used in a row. With him, anyway.

"One moment, Martin," he answered, then covered the phone's mouthpiece and asked Maureen if it would be okay to take the call. He returned shortly.

"Yes, Martin, I am willing. Are you in a hurry? Or would you like me to come 'round?" Roger was his usual friendly self, and Martin actually felt ashamed for how he needed to answer.

"I am in a bit of a hurry. Sorry. I've left it longer than I should have."

"Oh, well," said Roger, still happy to help. "Let's see... When do you make me feel good, and when do you make me feel bad?"

- oo0oo –

Pauline had not yet returned from the phlebotomy course. Meanwhile, Poppy received a phone call from an unhappy patient complaining that he'd left a message on the answering machine. She checked and found it wasn't working. She called the surgery's number and found the machine was on "Announce Only," but it was actually broken. She added "Buy a new telephone answering machine" to her list for Doctor Ellingham.

- oo0oo –

Martin was about to make the phone call to the "Understanding Others" instructor. He was reviewing the answers Roger had given him earlier. Roger said he felt good about Martin persuading strongly without becoming entrenched in fruitless argument, but that maybe Martin could work on giving really bad news without appearing heartless. He said he was fine with how Martin was firm but fair, but that sometimes his criticism made people feel attacked. Martin made a few additions to his interview notes.

Martin remembered back to the Talent Night. Roger had asked him if he took 'some kind of perverse pleasure in upsetting people when they're at their most vulnerable.'

'That's not how it was,' he thought. He was just doing his job, trying, for the second time, to inform Maureen Tacey of her pregnancy. Roger had asked him not to upset her, as she was going to perform soon. Martin thought about how telling her anything at all at that moment had been a bad decision on his part. He could have waited until after her performance, or even the next morning, but he was just trying to be efficient. Going to her place of employment, and later to that Talent Night was like a home visit. But it didn't make what he did right.

He was in his office after the last patient before his prearranged break. He dialed the number for the interview.

- oo0oo –

Louisa had awoken that morning feeling very unhappy with herself.

During school, she thought about Martin's notepaper and the efforts he had made on the trip down to Devon. She knew she should have let him explain himself.

She thought of a way to talk with Martin undisturbed. She decided to call the surgery for an appointment.

End of Chapter 10