What it takes to be a leader of a Scenario Paintball team
Being a leader isn't all it's cracked up to be, and it isn't for everyone. That being said, a leader knows he needs a chain of command so that when he is gone there is still leadership and organization.
Some scenario teams shy away from having a leader or structure , simply because they are afraid of an abuse of power, or being yelled at, or put down. What those teams don't realize is that the group will subconsciously give that role to one or two people eventually. It's human nature to look to someone for that guidance.
I've seen several people stay away from leadership roles in paintball because they do understand one thing, Leadership equals responsibility. A leader of a group is responsible for everything that does or does not happen on the field of play, and off. Let me go over this in more detail.
A bad leader will abuse his role. He will yell at his group and blame everything on them. Leaders who don't take responsibility for their job assume you only have to tell something once to someone and they will carry it out to the letter. Responsible leaders make sure it happens. Responsible leaders double check that everything is going as it should. Responsible leaders are ones you can count on, because they are watching out for their group and leave very little to chance. A good leader will take that responsibility. If something doesn't happen, he will know he is responsible for it not happening (maybe not soley, but the first in a line of responsibility). If something does happen that shouldn't have, he knows he will be responsible for that as well.
A Leader is responsible for the security of the group. Leaders are not only responsible for leading an attack, but making sure there is 360 security, so that no one can surprise the group from behind or the side. He does this by delegation, but he is still in charge of that delegation.
A leader will take care of his group. He will monitor their hydration, down time, their paintball pod count, if they have air or not, a constant head count, and monitor how hard they are being pushed. A leader knows when to go easy on his group, to allow them to be rested for when a real battle breaks out. He will keep them on the ready, but will only work them hard when necessary.
Leaders ,in scenario paintball, should carry a compass and know the navigation of the field. This is for those big games and 400 acre fields where it is easy to get lost.
A Leader knows communication is key. Rather the leader must carry his own radio, or have his own RTO guy, the leader uses commo as an effective tool. He may verbally shout commands or use the radio as a means to communicate. If the leader is responsible for 12 or more in his group, he will keep in contact with key players within the group to move cells and squads where he needs.
One last thing about leadership and that is, everyone on a team or group should be ready to fill the leadership role when the leader is missing. This is why a chain of command is established, so that when the leader is missing, the next person knows when to stand up. Many paintball groups and teams abuse this structure and use rank as a means of personal power and gain. Being a leader is more a role and less about power. The group or team is where the power should rest and a good leader observes this to be true.
Some scenario teams shy away from having a leader or structure , simply because they are afraid of an abuse of power, or being yelled at, or put down. What those teams don't realize is that the group will subconsciously give that role to one or two people eventually. It's human nature to look to someone for that guidance.
I've seen several people stay away from leadership roles in paintball because they do understand one thing, Leadership equals responsibility. A leader of a group is responsible for everything that does or does not happen on the field of play, and off. Let me go over this in more detail.
A bad leader will abuse his role. He will yell at his group and blame everything on them. Leaders who don't take responsibility for their job assume you only have to tell something once to someone and they will carry it out to the letter. Responsible leaders make sure it happens. Responsible leaders double check that everything is going as it should. Responsible leaders are ones you can count on, because they are watching out for their group and leave very little to chance. A good leader will take that responsibility. If something doesn't happen, he will know he is responsible for it not happening (maybe not soley, but the first in a line of responsibility). If something does happen that shouldn't have, he knows he will be responsible for that as well.
A Leader is responsible for the security of the group. Leaders are not only responsible for leading an attack, but making sure there is 360 security, so that no one can surprise the group from behind or the side. He does this by delegation, but he is still in charge of that delegation.
A leader will take care of his group. He will monitor their hydration, down time, their paintball pod count, if they have air or not, a constant head count, and monitor how hard they are being pushed. A leader knows when to go easy on his group, to allow them to be rested for when a real battle breaks out. He will keep them on the ready, but will only work them hard when necessary.
Leaders ,in scenario paintball, should carry a compass and know the navigation of the field. This is for those big games and 400 acre fields where it is easy to get lost.
A Leader knows communication is key. Rather the leader must carry his own radio, or have his own RTO guy, the leader uses commo as an effective tool. He may verbally shout commands or use the radio as a means to communicate. If the leader is responsible for 12 or more in his group, he will keep in contact with key players within the group to move cells and squads where he needs.
One last thing about leadership and that is, everyone on a team or group should be ready to fill the leadership role when the leader is missing. This is why a chain of command is established, so that when the leader is missing, the next person knows when to stand up. Many paintball groups and teams abuse this structure and use rank as a means of personal power and gain. Being a leader is more a role and less about power. The group or team is where the power should rest and a good leader observes this to be true.
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POSITIVE LEADERSHIP TRAITS
Lead By Example : a good leader must lead by example and inspire his excellence in his troops by his example. A Good Communicator : a good leader communicates well. A Player : a good leader has exceptional tactical knowledgeable about the game. Confident : a good leader is unafraid to make decisions, no matter how popular or unpopular they are. Good listener :a good leader listens to his troops, takes their advice seriously, but ultimately make the decision for what is best for the team. Not a dictator: a good leader does not dictate but rather suggests through experience and reasoning. Fun Loving : a good leader knows when to be serious, but also when to ease up and have fun. Self Aware : a good leader knows when to ask for help and suggestions. Organize and Work : A leader is the glue that holds the organization together. They are usually given leadership by virtue of their willingness to do the hard work required to organize and provide direction. Good Recruiter : to preserve the original credo of the team, recruiting well is a must. Both good leaders and good soldiers are needed. A Good Student : a respectable military leader should be an avid student of the enemies leadership, tactics and strategies. This will of course lead to minimal "casualties" and rapid success. Planning : a respectable military leader should understand the fine art of practical planning but understand completely his troops willingness and ability to execute those plans. Flexible & Adaptable in Battle: a respectable military leader must be highly flexible and adaptable to the changing battlefield - exploiting opportunities and enemy weaknesses. Respectful of the Troops : a respectable military leader in a volunteer army must treat his troops with respect. Good Delegator : a good leader delegates well. |
 
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Another thing that it takes is knowing the buck stops with you. Things as simple as game start times on up to what parts of someone's kit might go haywire and having a plan for that contigency. I am not saying you should be your team's parent, more like a big brother that tried to have answers to question, even if they are never asked.
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I've seen several people stay away from leadership roles in paintball because they do understand one thing, Leadership equals responsibility. A leader of a group is responsible for everything that does or does not happen on the field of play, and off. Let me go over this in more detail.
Another Home Run Moth-ie" Great words to live by....Sarge |
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Recent Blog Entries by Mothman
- Why taking team and group photo's at paintball gatherings is so important. (11-20-2008)
- Scenario Downtime:Time to get your team in order (10-28-2008)
- What it takes to be a leader of a Scenario Paintball team (10-08-2008)
- AAR's: Evaluations for your team at scenario games. (09-24-2008)
- SOP for extreme rulebreakers on the Scenario/woodsball field. (09-17-2008)
