There have been many discussions on the Allied High Command forums for WWIIOL recently about the leadership, or lack thereof, demonstrated by the AHC British Expeditionary Force members during the current campaign (#25). By and large, our most visible leaders of the last campaign, the one we won, have been conspicuous by their absence. Most attacks are unorganized affairs that end terribly with attrited supply and low moral that allow the Axis players to simply “roll up the map”. Defenses are little more than speed bumps, draining moral even further. The few BEF players who do step up to do something are doing as much as they can. Kudos to these players.
I have not put much time in as French so far this campaign, but from what I’ve seen they are not lacking leadership. Players like CatFive, Oneman, and other keep them on the go even if they are being pushed back.
I was involved with another online battle/war simulator not too long ago, Starfleet Command. I lead one of the game’s races in many campaigns, and won and lost my fair share. It’s a totally different genre from WWIIOL, but the leadership qualities needed for online campaigns between the two are identical.
For one, leaders must not only be present, they must be seen to be present. In other words, you have to talk to people. You have to let them know what you are thinking and planning to do. Sequestering yourself on the command channels in in-game chat and team speak does not cut it. If fact, it is the fastest road to failure of leadership. In WWIIOL, this mean getting on the brigade channels in-game and in TS and telling people “hey, we’re putting up an AO on Antwerp in 20 minutes.” And then following up every couple of minutes, making sure people have seen your message and that they know you want them there.
Also, leaders must get people fired up to participate in their plans. Sure, some people will follow you just to have something to do, but it is never enough. Especially if you have low numbers. You must get everyone behind your plan. This come back to talking to people and being seen to be present and active. Again, sequestering yourself in the command channels in in-game chat and team speak just does not cut it.
These two things are vitally important, and never more so when your side has low numbers. Get everyone in on the plans, make sure they understand what will be happening and when. Then, make sure they commit to the attack/defense. Send out your faction-wide messages (.allied command in WWIIOL) frequently. Make sure people know what missions are set up for what purposes. Get someone in charge of the infantry, another on the armor, and still another on the air. Get someone in charge of comms. Get someone else in charge of defending your forward bases or attacking enemy FBs, depending on if you are defending or attacking. Get everyone on the same TS channels. Gather your forces before an attack and move in a coordinated manner (inf, armor, and air all mutually supporting one another). Never let a defense “just happen”. And if an attack “just happens”, you have failed and your side has lost.
Further, leaders should never lose sight of the fact that this is a game, and as the person who volunteered to lead it is your responsibility to help everyone on your team have fun. This is especially true in WWIIOL, where the high commands are required to move the map (only HC can set/remove attack orders, which are required to take towns). Each HC officer has to accept, upon volunteering, that he will put the fun of other players ahead of his own. That he will put the interests of the AHC and player community above those of his squad (guild equivalent in WWIIOL) or himself.
It is my opinion that if a person cannot do these things, he should be removed from the leadership position. Preferably voluntarily, but forcefully if need be. I feel the same way about those that only want to be seen leading if their team is winning, or who just want .allied and AO placement for their squad. Such a person is not a leader I will follow. In fact, I will openly ridicule such a person and then move on to find a leader who can do these things.
I have volunteered to join the Allied High Command. I will do my best to be a good leader. I will try, even if we are getting our asses handed to us, to make things interesting and fun. I will communicate my intentions and plans and will try to include everyone. Let’s just see what happens…
Posted in Allied High Command, Battleground Europe, Games | |
