Posted by Lieutenant Commander Liadra (Counselor) in CNS’s Office - Side Sim

Posted by Commander Keena Vahl (Executive Officer) in CNS’s Office - Side Sim

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Liadra (Counselor) in CNS’s Office - Side Sim
(snip)
“And what about becoming an XO- was becoming a command officer something you had particularly aspired to doing?” Liadra asked. It was actually an interesting conversation since she had the opportunity to learn first hand about the things she’d need to know to support Keena in her work.

Lt. Cmdr. Liadra, CNS

“Yes, I would say I’ve always had that particular aspiration in the back of my mind,” Keena replied honestly, “I was Captain of my rowing team in school, one of the debate leaders too for a time. I always seemed to find my way into leadership positions. I suppose you could say I figured out fairly early that I had an aptitude for not only figuring out what I needed to be doing, but what others around me needed to be doing.”

~Keena Vahl~

“A natural born leader,” Liadra remarked with a smile. “And what about challenges? How might I help you settle in on this ship and into your very important role. Because that’s of the utmost importance to me.” And she was sincere- it wasn’t some psychological ploy, as some might assume. Then again, Liadra was exceedingly genuine.

Lt. Cmdr. Liadra, CNS

“Sometimes it helps to have someone to bounce an idea off of,” Keena explained, “I can make decisions when the pressure’s on, but after the crisis is over I sometimes suffer from that doubt that maybe I should’ve ducked left instead of right. My first taste of true command wasn’t exactly the best of times, we were responding to an attacked civilian vessel and the Nausicans took the Oslo by surprise and during the second volley, the Captain and First Officer were dead, I was second officer, so I was suddenly it. I’ve moved past it, but it took time, as one might expect. I’m sure Counselor Montgomery’s notes are on my file for your perusal if you require, but her sympathetic ear helped me become stronger. I found I was less likely to get bogged down in conditions I could not change after her help, but if I’m headed down that road again, having another sympathetic ear to remind me that I can’t change things that aren’t in my control will keep me from starting to doubt myself in the aftermath of a rough incident…particularly when lives were lost. I can’t resolve something that is beyond my control and sometimes it’s useful to be reminded of that.”

~Keena Vahl~