An article by Thumper - with contributions by Deebo and Aerion -- 3.17.2007

When Section8 enters the battlefield, its does so with a plan - a plan for battle. This includes a chain of command to help focus and refocus the team as the command structure changes.

As of 3.16.2007 the team supported this chain of command on the field :

Aerion puts it : It's just a way of designating who should take over leading when things break down. ... It's more like providing focus to the group. The difference between a team and a mob is discipline and focus. Both generally come from a unified leadership structure. The second and third in command should always be ready to step in, and step up, and lead if the group appears leaderless - even without the leader notifying them.

* Top Banana: Thumper
* Gorillas: Aerion, LB
* Orangutans: Sean, Zen, DJ
* Chimps: Steers, Robert
* Howler Monkeys: Everyone else.

Thumper adds: In this article please retain these jewels of wisdom:

• If every one above you is dead or missing - step up and lead. Hesitating endangers the whole "platoon"
• Teach the guys below you WHO WANT TO KNOW everything you know, cause no one lives forever.
• Its a game stupid - games are supposed to be fun. On Section8 we are serious - but FUN is a critical component of why we all play. Lest we forget.
  

I asked the team to chime in on traits and attributes that these folks should employ - and this is what we have so far in some sort of order with the most important first.

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.

WHY LEADERSHIP IS IMPORTANT

ON FIELD : Deebo : a paintball team needs someone to "lead" them into battle. Everyone has opinions, strategies, and different ways to go about getting an objective done. A leader needs to be there to put an end to any arguing, set the course of action, and see that it is implemented correctly. When things don't go as planned, a leader needs to be the one who decides how to regroup, how to alter plans to make sure the goal is still obtainable.

Aerion : The difference between a team and a mob is discipline and focus. Both generally come from a unified leadership structure.

OFF FIELD : Deebo : a leader's role, to me, diminishes slightly. But with Section 8 traveling places, someone needs to get the forms in and register everyone together. Just being friendly and going out to eat and stuff like that is all good; a leader should be approachable and fun to be around.