FROM THE BRIDGE

by Commander Becky Norris

di-plo-ma-cy (di-plo'-mu-see) n, pl. -cies 1. The art or practice of conducting international relations. 2. Skill in dealing with others; tact.

At work today, one of my co-workers was seeking advice from some of us on how to deal with the director of an organization with which she is involved. My friend is the chairman of a committee which has an event coming up, and the director is one of those people who has to control absolutely everything, even those things which are really not her concern. Anyway, my friend, who started her stint with this organization full of enthusiasm and eager to help out in any fashion, has become very disillusioned about the whole situation. She was asking advice on how to deal with the director, with whom she has words on a few occasions. The director wanted her to come to her office, and my friend wanted her to come to the station. Each of them wanted the power that comes from dealing with people on their home turf. We advised our friend to meet with the director on neutral ground, and to be sure that when she goes to the meeting, to be very calm and rational, and to take along someone who doesn't have a side in this fight but who is involved with the organization. That way, we wisely said, when the director starts getting bossy and manipulative, someone else will be there to see it.

Well, about halfway through this conversation, my friend said, "I just wish everywhere could be like the station, where there aren't any politics!" All of us counselors burst out laughing at this point, and I asked her incredulously, "Are you kidding?? This place is full of politics!" She was surprised, even a little shocked, to hear that everyone else in the building was going around doing the political dance as a way to survive, and she hadn't even noticed.

The whole situation reminded me of the political struggles we have had to endure during the lifetime of the Fearless. No wonder so many become so disillusioned that they just didn't have the strength to go on--no wonder we have forbidden the speaking of THE word--no wonder we blanche at the thought of upheaval in Starfleet. We've lived that--and we somehow survived. Looking back, it really is amazing that we passed through that plasma storm without serious hull damage, and even were able to repair the shuttle and move on. But we did. Because people for the most part, will persevere to continue something that is important to them.

That's why we make adjustments in the workplace--so that we can keep doing something that we like. That's why we play the game in civic organizations--so that we can be involved in something that will ultimately benefit the community. And that's why we stuck it out and weathered the storm on the Fearless--so that we can all be part of something good, something built on the premise of infinite diversity in infinite combinations, something that we can be proud of, something we have earned.

And so to the crew of the Fearless, faithful shuttle soon to become a ship--

I salute you.