I need to give at least a 75-word comment on my class mate’s post

Extreme “Child” Experience

Nicholas

For this discussion, we were tasked to recall an extreme workplace experience that applied to either the Johari Window concept of a “blind spot” or the Transactional Analysis concept of “child” behavior.  As I watched the videos and read the material on the Johari Window from our background material, I couldn’t readily recall a situation of an extreme “blindspot.”  However, as I researched Transactional Analysis, I quickly associated the concept of “child” behavior with one of my coworkers.  This individual is likely the architype of the “child” behavior described in our reference materials.  He’s recently getting better, but there was a time when he was whiny beyond that of almost any small child I’ve ever seen.  I chose that word carefully as his behavior didn’t come across as just and adult complaining.  It had the same emotional fret with which a child presents their woes.   It was so extreme that people would gawk at him in awe when his barrages of lament began rolling.  McKay, Fanning, & Davis (2009) explain that “when you are communicating from a child position, there is usually a great deal of energy: tears, pouting, temper tantrums, and whining” (pg. 91).  Their portrayal of communicating from the child position reads as if they personally knew my coworker and were consciously attempting to describe him.  Even down to the temper tantrums, their description fits him to a tee.  Of course, I’m not going to divulge his last name, but I will note that the word “cry” was easily substituted into it… and all of our coworkers fully exploited this opportunity.  I once witnessed him have a complete meltdown over someone moving a “comm-cord” from one aircraft to another.  Even though it’s calmed significantly, likely in attempt to escape his unwanted nickname, he still tends to react to almost any adversity with negative emotional charge. 

Very respectfully,

Nick Rohling

McKay, M., Fanning, P., & Davis, M. (2009). Chapter 7: Transactional Analysis. Messages: The Communication Skills Book. Oakland, Calif: New Harbinger Publications. [eBook Academic Collection]