Take the Squad Leader Challenge!

[Axis of Eeevil]

OK people, we're having threads again that are pointing out our tendency to cluster in TG-only squads.


The problem: this can often lead to team imbalance, failure to share the TG way, and an increase in visitor dissatisfaction.

The problem is real, it is recurring, and it can only be solved by TG members stepping up to the plate and making an individual choice to do things differently.

This should not be an issue our admins have to remind us or warn about, let alone make a rule that is unpleasant and difficult to enforce.

The solution: more members should be willing to start and lead a new squad, and do so if the existing squads have three TG members already.

The exception to this is an in-house squad on one of their scheduled nights to get together as a squad.

No one wants to do checking up and enforcement, it needs to be a grassroots change that we a re willing to do.

The Commitment

As an infrequent squad leader and one who habitually joins the biggest TG squad I can find, I will make the following commitment:

If there are no TG-led squads that have 2 or less members, I will start a new squad with the hope of attracting a couple of buddies to join, and showing a couple of visitors the way a squad can work together, even when the SL might not be top-notch.

If I join such a squad, I'll offer to SL for a map or two so the SL gets a chance to be a team-member and get a break, should they want it.

I will not favor my ego by avoiding a situation that might be embarassing.
I will not be lazy and avoid the work that comes with leadership.
I will not be selfish and grab the last spot in a TG squad for myself (that's going to be hard).

The Challenge: If you can make a similar commitment to do this, even though you might prefer to do otherwise--to do it for the team, the balance, the play, everything we work for here at TG--join me by posting your answer.
Encouraging accessible teamplay and tactics to all is not just an Irregulars thing.

IT'S A TG THANG.

[Wimpinator]

It seems that most people are scared to SL because they have never done it before. Honestly the best method to learn is to just do it.

Outstanding post Axis, and yes I will SL more often as well.

[cptCuervo]

I have already joined this challenge and will continue to promote it.

[Axis of Eeevil]

Indeed, there are many guys from the In-House squads (and I'm not forgetting the girls, you rock as SLs, Sassy and Candy) that start up a new one when they come in and see full TG squads. This is what more people need to emulate.

Thanks for stepping up; you're the ones that show us how it can be done!

Any words on what you get out of being a squad leader?

What do you think about newbs who are trying it out for the first few times and might be nervous about making mistakes and costing the team?

Are there times when you call on squad members for feedback or ideas, or are you alone at the top?

[Knights_Roundtable]

Axis,

I try to get squad members advice at times because I'm rather new at squad leading and still make mistakes every map. Plus I think that it helps me to make better decisions. I think there are a few ways for a newbie to learn...play for a few weeks on TG and learn from the SL's, and then if still a little intimidated, try leading a small squad or play on another server that is not so intense or as full as TG to build up some confidence. The only problem with that is that people may not listen to you or obey orders on other servers, as teamwork does not seem to be a big deal at all. You may just hear silence. As an SL, I just enjoy the challenge of staying alive for my squad near a flag so that we can take it during a battle, and I'm trying to find the balance of staying alive and yet still being a part of the battle. Regarding you original post, I'm usually up for starting a new squad during games, and I know that I have learned alot from just being in squads where the SL is very active and even makes comments during the game on how to best defend positions, or on other tactics.

[dwringer]

I think thats a great idea to split up TG guys into different squads; whenever I play on the servers, half the time I end up with a group which totally neglects to work together or even attempt any form of organization. This is because the TG squads are all totally full of TG's. Not a big deal, but the need for leadership is definitely there, and it's a good opportunity for people to set a good image.

As for noob SL's costing the team, I don't think it really matters. After all, it's only a game, and on public servers there's no real need for competitiveness. The best thing that can happen is that it can build teamwork and leadership skills regardless of who wins; and it's certainly fun either way.

[Dirtboy]

I hate to say this but I really dont seeing this taking effect. Not only on the PRM side of the house...but on the PoE side also. I like having half my team TG and the other half pubbies. Sometimes you get the pubby that dosent like teamwork and runs off and does his own thing but other times you get someone who enjoys playing TG BF2.

I think that some of the veteran TG BF2 players(not me)need to step up and join a squad that have just pubbies in it.

[Acid]

I see this happening in all of the BF games we play where it shouldn't.

[Axis of Eeevil]

Originally Posted by Dirtboy

I like having half my team TG and the other half pubbies.

Like I said, the idea is to have a squad half and half, i.e. if there are 3 TG players in a squad, I'll start another.

Originally Posted by Dirtboy

I think that some of the veteran TG BF2 players(not me)need to step up and join a squad that have just pubbies in it.

This is not a bad idea, but doesn't address the particular problem this thread seeks to correct. There is little use joining a squad that is running pell-mell over the map, unless you can encourage the SL to follow CO orders, and vocally rally SMs to play as a unit.
This works sometimes, but I find if I start a new squad, SMs will often leave an unorganized squad in hopes of finding a more satisfying game experience. Sometimes the SL will be the first to join!

We need to remember that when a new visitor is visiting, they are likely looking for a more team-oriented or tactical gameplay experience, but are hardly ready to lead a squad.
If there are no open spots in another squad, they HAVE to start one, often making them an unwilling SL.
We have a lot of players visiting who need to be able to relax, experiment with following orders and start thinking about the game in terms of team goals instead of K ratios or getting the next badge.
That means they need to be members, not leaders of squads.

Acid said: "I see this happening in all of the BF games we play where it shouldn't."

I'm not sure what comment you're referring to here, Acid. Can you be more specific?

[Sawviper]

I doubt I go a night without starting my own squad and running it at least a couple rounds. But there are nights when I am sure even our good squadleaders would like to take a breather and just follow orders.

On the topic of joining a squad under a pubbie SL....yeah I might give it a shot for 30 seconds. If I don't get some sense of direction at least from commo rose commands I am not sticking around. I will invite anyone in the squad that wants VOIP squadleading to join the one I will form.

Now that being said there have been times that I have joined a squad with some names I did not recognize and was pleasantly suprised by the communication and teamwork.

I think the main issue here is for people to try and keep the TG veterans in a squad to 50% (See Santa's post). I know that many of the inhouse squads like to run together, I know the 12th does. But especially when it is just a group of assorted TG members I think they would be more effective splitting and forming two slightly less effective squads.

Another thing that I have tried is to invite people that in the smaller squads or unassigned. Most of the time you will not get a response but on a couple occasions I have got good team players to join that were just hesitant to join.

[cptCuervo]

I really love coordinating with other 5th members SL'ing other squads. We can split up to hold more than one CP, or organize an assault on a heavily defended flag to turn the tide of a round.

Having 2 squads working together can often be more effective than 1 uber squad of all TG'ers...

[corporate]

I have been trying to lead a squad for at least one round each night I play. I'll start joining the TS server and working with other TG SL's. It will a also help me be a more effective SL.

I noticed that now that I have TG5th tags on that my squad fills up fast when I start it. I want to be able to offer up a good TG experience to my SM's.

[Acid]

I often see locked 2142 squads where TG SL's only invite other TG members in.

[DaV]

I noticed that now that I have TG5th tags on that my squad fills up fast when I start it. I want to be able to offer up a good TG experience to my SM's.[/quote]


And you always do. Kudos Corporate....

DaV