Crash course for Airsoft leaders. List post.

This list will cover the basics any Airsoft club leader should know.

First the textbook definition of leadership. “Leadership is the art of influencing human behavior so as to accomplish a mission in the manner so desired by the leader.” translated its getting people to do what you want

Organization of your Airsoft Club is important for command and control.
Make a team with the new guy and a more experienced player. Place two teams together to make a group, join two or more groups together to make a squad. Give all teams, groups and squads a name. I find sections are best named “BallsAirsoft” or “visit balls airsoft” but I am a little bias.

Use Command Words.
Commands words give you authority with your speech and convey your orders quickly. Here are a few samples
YOU (or persons name or position) – “SMITH load that kit” is better than “somebody load that kit” this will to be covered in the future as its is very important.
WILL – “You WILL move forward” is better than “I need you to move up”
“please could someone move up here” in no way is a command, its a request. A request that will be ignored.

Here is some practical advice for airsoft club leaders.
Assert yourself as leader.
This is done by wearing a rank and introducing your self to the new club mates as the leader.

Always appoint a Second in command (2I/C).
Self explanatory. You cant be everywhere at once. Let the person know they are the Club second in command.

Appoint sub commanders.
When organizing your club appoint someone in charge of the Teams, Groups and if your club is larger squad commanders . Remember all require a second in command. This will speed up orders.

Don’t work, Supervise.
Your job as leader is to delegate work. In small clubs of four this isn’t practical, in larger thirty people clubs its mandatory. You are required to find problems and delegate people to do the work, You cant be everywhere and do everything.

Monitoring is important.
When you receive a new recruit place them under the supervision of a more seasoned person, The experienced player can mentor the new member. This is true for new team leaders, place them in a group with a more experienced squad leader.

Private “Somebody” has not joined your team”.
Designate a person or team directly to preform a task. Private “Somebody” isn’t on your team. If you say “Somebody charge the batteries” don’t be surprised if they are still dead because you didn’t tell a specific person to do it.

Delegate N Disappear.
Give your order and leave your sub commanders alone to finish the task. Check back in at the end. They don’t need you hovering around them and giving direction every five seconds.

Lead all Supervise four.
Don’t attempt to manage your entire club, Only concern yourself with your immediate sub commanders and second in command. This is usually no more than four people.

Respect your sub commanders
Don’t correct your sub commanders in front of the lower ranks, if you have a problem with them take them aside and have the conversation privately.

Your not perfect and do not know everything
Take input from you sub commanders. Don’t be afraid to allow them to take over a task if they have a better handle on the situation.

Congruent activity is your friend
Learn to delegate authority to your team so that more than one task is being completed at once.

To lead you must follow
With the club properly organized everyone will be in charge of and commanded by another person. If you have a problem with your boss higher up the food chain talk to them privately, Don’t discuss it with the lower ranks,

You can delegate authority not responsibility.
If you give someone the authority to complete a task it is still your responsibility to ensure it is completed.

More in depth information.
Crash course on leadership for airsoft team leaders
Command words for Airsoft leaders
Airsoft squad organization

Airsoft Leadership Day1 Assert yourself as leader
Airsoft Leadership Day 2 -Sub commanders are important
Airsoft Leadership Day 3 – Supervision
Airsoft Leadership Day 4 – Dont Babysit
Airsoft Leadership Day 5 – A little respect goes a long way
Airsoft Leadership Day 6 – Know your faults
Airsoft Leadership Day 7 – To lead a Airsoft club you must follow
Airsoft Leadership Day 8 – Delegate authority not responsibility

 

 

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