Squad Leader Archive

Thread: Leadership has nothing to do with your profession.

CommanderFarley
Mon Sep 05, 2005 10:18 am
#1

Picking a certain template doesn't give me the right to bark orders. Having a certain title above my head doesn't give me the right to tell people what to do.


My teams listen to me, be it formations, or whatever, because I know what I'm doing, and because I've -earned- their respect.




They listen when I play my squad leader. They also listen when I play my jedi.


There seem to be a few people on this forums who've become convinced that they "deserve" to be leaders. Regardless of who holds the #1 spot in the group, and invites/kicks others, there will be the opportunity to lead.



You can be that leader, or you can be just another a$$hole yelling at people.



Chu'ma
Queen of Corellia
Tajah' vendor location 6450 -1690 in Fallout Bay on Corellia -Pants
Sylow
Mon Sep 05, 2005 10:25 am
#2




Sorry for the sarcastic comment in case somebody already red it,i hope i removed it before somebody did...


Anyways, some of the abilities we have are only useful when combined with appropriate tactics. So if the SL doesn't lead, he's better not able to use them, as he would probably do more harm than good to the team.

Message Edited by Sylow on 09-05-2005 07:33 PM






Learn to sing!
Infinity - Papyn Biboon
MSL, MCarb Grunt Leader
captiansarcasmo
Mon Sep 05, 2005 10:38 am
#3

this issue seems to have blown up to "they just want to be GL for an ego boost" far from it.


these concerns are raised so that we arent leading groups of squad leaders.


as a squad leader do you perfer to form a group that is varied with all combat and healing proffs included? i sure do, thats part of it... searching for that perfect group combo for each situation. with the current 8 group max thats hard enough. if i'm trying to form a group with all these templates and no duplicates why would i want a duplicate of myself?



jailyn

AlienEntity
Mon Sep 05, 2005 10:48 am
#4


CommanderFarley wrote:
Picking a certain template doesn't give me the right to bark orders. Having a certain title above my head doesn't give me the right to tell people what to do.
My teams listen to me, be it formations, or whatever, because I know what I'm doing, and because I've -earned- their respect.
They listen when I play my squad leader. They also listen when I play my jedi.
There seem to be a few people on this forums who've become convinced that they "deserve" to be leaders. Regardless of who holds the #1 spot in the group, and invites/kicks others, there will be the opportunity to lead.
You can be that leader, or you can be just another a$$hole yelling at people.





Then what's the point in having a profession called Squad Leader? Why not name it Squadie or something else? Squad Leaders are just that Leaders of Squads. Call it what you will, but a group is called a group or a squad. We LEAD SQUADS who just happen to be all GROUPED. Why not change our profession to BuffBots or something. If Squad Leaders aren't group leaders as well, then why do smugglers want to smuggle. Us being Group Leaders is the same as Smugglers Smuggling.

Message Edited by AlienEntity on 09-05-2005 12:51 PM



Colonel Talley Darkstar, Master Squad Leader, Alliance Ace Pilot-Crimson Phoenix Squadron, Rifleman
Squad Leader Cache Colonel Talley Darkstar Classified Squad Leader Files
aramiss
Mon Sep 05, 2005 11:57 am
#5

a leader is determined by their actions and attitude, not who has the rights to invite people to a group. if you play as a buffbot, and are obsessed with being the one who invites to a group then your not a leader.

if you arent concerned with being the person who invites others, and are concerned with the welfare of the group, and effectivly leading them into combat and having them suvive, then your a leader



Aramiss---------Bria-------Officer------Alliance Ace pilot
Manfred-von Richthofen------Starsider------Imperial pilot
captiansarcasmo
Mon Sep 05, 2005 11:59 am
#6

who types /invite is not the issue here



jailyn

Eebi
Mon Sep 05, 2005 1:59 pm
#7

Chu'ma, does Tajah' date imperials :0


Cause this is one imperial thats curious :0



{SneakyCack{

-Atrum Letum-

"The diet coke of evil.Just one calorie, not evil enough"


Iceovekan
Mon Sep 05, 2005 2:20 pm
#8

As for those screaming too overpowered. You can only have _ONE_ Group buff active at one time. Check out TC. So squad leader group leader or not, it's irrelevant. Only one group buff is active, so whoever is the squad leader picks it. Done.


As for Leadership, I concur. A title does not make you a leader. You can be called Mr. CEO and unless you have leadership skills, you're still not a leader. A leader is someone who shows leadership by example. She inspires others to do something a little beyond their reach. A leader is someone who makes things happen.


So for example, I kill 10,000 bols in Dantooine with my DL44XT and I can finally wear the Master Squad Leader tag. Does this make me a leader?


A Master Squad Leader is a profession that gives us tools to facilitate leadership. It's merely an enabler, not a prerequisite to leadership.


A Group Leader is a position that administratively manages the group. He adds or removes people within the group. He also administratively sets looting privileges. You can be loot master and not be group leader as well. (i.e. target someone w/in your group and designate them as Master Looter)


Again these positions are merely tools for effective leadership, they are _NOT_ a substitute to true leadership.


Sylow
Mon Sep 05, 2005 2:32 pm
#9





Iceovekan wrote:
As for those screaming too overpowered. You can only have _ONE_ Group buff active at one time. Check out TC. So squad leader group leader or not, it's irrelevant. Only one group buff is active, so whoever is the squad leader picks it. Done.



I find this statement very interesting. Did you test it? If not, i will stick with what Drashk (the Testcenter correspondent) wrote after doing some testing:








  • Group Buffs last for 30 Minutes and can be applied by any SL in the group.

  • The same type of Buff does not stack, however more then 1 group can be applied, if more then 1 SL is in the group.








    • His complete posting can be found here, somewhere in the middle of the page.


      Now, i might be mean, but i trust his word more than yours due to the fact that i have read more from him, his statements usually reporting the actual facts and generally getting confirmed by other people. For your claim here, on the other hand, i have nothing but your word yet. If the report of Drashk turns out to be wrong, i am sorry for my reaction here, but until it's proven otherwhise, i go with Drashks word. Which means, currently it is very well possible to put several buffs on the team, it is just not possible to put the same buff on the team for several times.


      On the rest of your posting, we can continue to talk for years about what is real leadership and what is not. I actually agree with you in most points, but i dare to tell you once again that this is NOT what we are focusing upon when we want the restrictions, despite some people twisting and turning it that way.






      Learn to sing!
      Infinity - Papyn Biboon
      MSL, MCarb Grunt Leader
      KJFett3
      Mon Sep 05, 2005 3:45 pm
      #10

      I have but one thing to say to this OP that clearly has no idea what he is talking about.


      You will find this is a direct quote form a post I started and is linked in my sig. This is what a Aquad Leader is. Now, please point out where there is zero leadership in this definition of Squad Leader.



      A Squad Leader is a soldier, but what sets them apart from the Commando or the Rifleman? Leadership.


      This info is taking from http://www.armywives.com/knowledge/traits.htm and is titled Leadership Traits.



      1. BEARING

        1. Definition. Creating a favorable impression in carriage, appearance, and personal conduct at all times.
        2. Significance. The ability to look, act, and speak like a leader whether or not these manifestations indicate one's true feelings. Some signs of these traits are clear and plain speech, an erect gait, and impeccable personal appearance.
        3. Example. Wearing clean, pressed uniforms, and shining boots and brass. Avoiding profane and vulgar language. Keeping a trim, fit appearance. Keeping your head, keeping your word and keeping your temper.

      2. COURAGE

        1. Definition. Courage is a mental quality that recognizes fear of danger or criticism, but enables a soldier to proceed in the face of it with calmness and firmness.
        2. Significance. Knowing and standing for what is right, even in the face of popular disfavor, is often the leader's lot. The business of fighting and winning wars is a dangerous one; the importance of courage on the battlefield is obvious.
        3. Example. Accepting criticism for making subordinates field day for an extra hour to get the job done correctly.

      3. DECISIVENESS

        1. Definition. Ability to make decisions promptly and to announce them in a clear, forceful manner.
        2. Significance. The quality of character which guides a person to accumulate all available facts in a circumstance, weigh the facts, choose and announce an alternative which seems best. It is often better that a decision be made promptly than a potentially better one be made at the expense of more time.
        3. Example. A leader who sees a potentially dangerous situation developing, immediately takes action to prevent injury from occurring. For example, if he/she sees a unit making a forced march along a winding road without road guards posted, he/she should immediately inform the unit leader of the oversight, and if senior to that unit leader, direct that proper precautions be taken.

      4. DEPENDABILITY

        1. Definition. The certainty of proper performance of duty.
        2. Significance. The quality which permits a senior to assign a task to a junior with the understanding that it will be accomplished with minimum supervision. This understanding includes the assumption that the initiative will be taken on small matters not covered by instructions.
        3. Example. The squad leader ensures that his/her squad falls out in the proper uniform without having been told to by the platoon sergeant. The staff officer, who hates detailed, tedious paperwork, yet makes sure the report meets his/her and his/her supervisor's standards before having it leave his desk.

      5. ENDURANCE

        1. Definition. The mental and physical stamina measured by the ability to withstand pain, fatigue, stress, and hardship
        2. Significance. The quality of withstanding pain during a conditioning hike in order to improve stamina is crucial in the development of leadership. Leaders are responsible for leading their units in physical endeavors and for motivating them as well.
        3. Example. A soldier keeping up on a 10-mile forced march even though he/she has blisters on both feet and had only an hour of sleep the previous night. An XO who works all night to ensure that promotion/pay problems are corrected as quickly as humanly possible because he/she realizes that only through this effort can one of his/her soldiers receive badly needed back-pay the following morning.

      6. ENTHUSIASM

        1. Definition. The display of sincere interest and exuberance in the performance of duty
        2. Significance. Displaying interest in a task, and an optimism that it can be successfully completed, greatly enhances the likelihood that the task will be successfully completed.
        3. Example. A soldier who leads a chant or offers to help carry a load that is giving someone great difficulty while on a hike despite being physically tired himself, encourages his fellow soldiers to persevere.

      7. INITIATIVE

        1. Definition. Taking action in the absence of orders.
        2. Significance. Since an NCO often works without close supervision, emphasis is placed on being a self-starter. Initiative is a founding principle of Army Warfighting philosophy.
        3. Example. In the unexplained absence of the platoon sergeant, an NCO takes charge of the platoon and carries out the training schedule.

      8. INTEGRITY

        1. Definition. Uprightness of character and soundness of moral principles. The quality of truthfulness and honesty.
        2. Significance. A soldier's word is his/her bond. Nothing less than complete honesty in all of your dealings with subordinates, peers, and superiors is acceptable.
        3. Example. A soldier who uses the correct technique on the obstacle course, even when he/she cannot be seen by the evaluator. During an inspection, if something goes wrong or is not corrected as had been previously directed, he/she can be counted upon to always respond truthfully and honestly.

      9. JUDGMENT

        1. Definition. The ability to weigh facts and possible courses of action in order to make sound decisions.
        2. Significance. Sound judgment allows a leader to make appropriate decisions in the guidance and training of his/her soldiers and the employment of his/her unit. A soldier who exercises good judgment weighs pros and cons accordingly to arrive at an appropriate decision/take proper action.
        3. Example. A soldier properly apportions his/her liberty time in order to relax as well as to study.

      10. JUSTICE

        1. Definition. Giving reward and punishment according to the merits of the case in question. The ability to administer a system of rewards and punishments impartially and consistently.
        2. Significance. The quality of displaying fairness and impartiality is critical in order to gain the trust and respect of subordinates and maintain discipline and unit cohesion, particularly in the exercise of responsibility as a leader.
        3. Example. Fair apportionment of tasks by a squad leader during all field days. Having overlooked a critical piece of evidence which resulted in the unjust reduction of a NCO in a highly publicized incident, the CO sets the punishment aside and restores him to his previous grade even though he knows it will displease his seniors or may reflect negatively on his fitness report. (Also an example of courage.)

      11. KNOWLEDGE

        1. Definition. Understanding of a science or an art. The range of one's information, including professional knowledge and an understanding of your soldiers.
        2. Significance. The gaining and retention of current developments in military and naval science and world affairs is important for your growth and development.
        3. Example. The soldier who not only knows how to maintain and operate his assigned weapon, but also knows how to use the other weapons and equipment in the unit.

      12. LOYALTY

        1. Definition. The quality of faithfulness to country, the Corps, and unit, and to one's seniors, subordinates, and peers.
        2. Significance. The motto of our Corps is Semper Fidelis, Always Faithful. You owe unswerving loyalty up and down the chain of command: to seniors, subordinates, and peers.
        3. Example. A soldier displaying enthusiasm in carrying out an order of a senior, though he may privately disagree with it. The order may be to conduct a particularly dangerous patrol. The job has to be done, and even if the patrol leader disagrees, he must impart confidence and enthusiasm for the mission to his men.

      13. TACT

        1. Definition. The ability to deal with others without creating hostility.
        2. Significance. The quality of consistently treating peers, seniors, and subordinates with respect and courtesy is a sign of maturity. Tact allows commands, guidance, and opinions to be expressed in a constructive and beneficial manner. This deference must be extended under all conditions regardless of true feelings.
        3. Example. A soldier discreetly points out a mistake in drill to a NCO by waiting until after the unit has been dismissed and privately asking which of the two methods are correct. He/she anticipates that the NCO will realize the correct method when shown, and later provide correct instruction to the unit.

      14. UNSELFISHNESS

        1. Definition. Avoidance of providing for one's own comfort and personal advancement at the expense of others.
        2. Significance. The quality of looking out for the needs of your subordinates before your own is the essence of leadership. This quality is not to be confused with putting these matters ahead of the accomplishment of the mission.
        3. An NCO ensures all members of his unit have eaten before he does, or if water is scarce, he will share what he has and ensure that others do the same. Another example occurs frequently when a soldier receives a package of food from home: the delicacies are shared with everyone in the squad. Yet another form of unselfishness involves the time of the leader. If a soldier needs extra instruction or guidance, the leader is expected to make his/her free time available whenever a need arises.

      Many soldiers remember these traits with the acronym JJ DID TIE BUCKLE


      Justice Judgement Dependability I nitiative Decisiveness Tact I ntegrity Enthusiam


      Bearing Unselfishness Courage Knowledge Loyalty Endurance


      I believe that the devs have the ability to put all of these things into our profession. Some would be small things, but others would help turn the tide against a less organized group. I heard it said once that the devs don't want to make it a requirement that a Squad Leader be in every group for a group to be effective. I believe that goal can be met while still allowing the profesison to be a key player in group actions where the tide is turned when a Squad Leader actually leads his/her troops.

      Message Edited by KJFett3 on 09-05-2005 03:54 PM



      !Drevin of DROW!
      !!
      Ackehece
      Mon Sep 05, 2005 5:05 pm
      #11

      I would tend to disagree with the original authors supposition here

      I find that players that are SLsalmost all currently have leadership qualities.


      1. If they do not have leadership qualities no one would allow them to lead so most current SLs are good leaders (and with the group leadership position requirement they would not remain group lead/strategist long - it has an effect of removing bad leaders from the profession)

      2. The current Sls sacrifice for the good of the group and not many solo type players are willing to do that - just those who like to lead and be in groups

      The reasons that SL should still require GL



      1. Leadership requires that they have teeth to fix problems within their group - the ability to change group makeup by removing or adding players is an important tool

      2. 1 chain of command - if I can effect the course of battle with a ingame mechanic it needs to be limited to the person who is in charge.

      3. A person who knows a location better then the Leader is really a guide not the group leader. (so saying that a person who knows the DWB map better is the better leader is a false statement)

      4. Tools I agree do not make the leader but the leader given the proper tools is much more effective then a leader without tools - SL skills andGL skillsare a combined toolset that has previously (and should remain) a part of SL.



      "And these blast points, too accurate for Sandpeople. Only
      Imperial Stormtroopers are so precise"
      Rifleman Correspondent | Galactic Senator from Naboo
      Ackehece - Eclipse | Tife - TestCenter




      [--Riflewoman are all about sex drugs and rock and roll --]
      Encoded as per Garva




      MailekEOC
      Mon Sep 05, 2005 5:17 pm
      #12

      I remember long ago many SLs hated the fact that they had to be a group leader in order to receive any xp and use their abilities. The name though does say Squad Leader though. In order for the SL to be the most effective in battle with his skills the main SL needs to be GL simply because there are skills now we have that would be totally uncoordinated if we weren't a GL.



      Agent: PHANTOM

      Mailek Oofiso
      Elder Squad Leader ± Imperial Clone
      f Magnumus Mysterium f
      Vive la Saviour!


      CommanderFarley
      Mon Sep 05, 2005 5:45 pm
      #13

      I apologize if the intent of my original post was mistaken.



      We, as a community, need to focus on the -technical- issues that are currently on Test Center. We should focus on the ingame mechanics regarding group leadership, and the Squad Leader's technical role therein.


      Let us put aside the philosophical debate, because we will never achieve a consensus. Let's work TOGETHER on the issue of multiple SLs in a group. Let's present a united front to the Dev team on whether we want



      1) Single SL as group lead

      2) multiple SLs, group lead irrelevant

      3) multiple SLs, leader at 100%, "secondaries" at reduced effectiveness.

      4) Single SL, group lead irrelevant


      These are pretty much the three options we're looking at. I believe many of us fear #2 easily becoming overpowered. In my opinion, #1 and #4 have only a semantic difference.



      It's my personal opinion, and has been posted by several others, that option #3 seems to be the most balanced option available.



      Chu'ma
      Queen of Corellia
      Tajah' vendor location 6450 -1690 in Fallout Bay on Corellia -Pants
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