The #1 Online Comunity for Airsoft Teams
Airsoft, Egos, and Rank (continued...)
Since my original discussion, I've noticed that this whole Ego as a result of Rank thing has gotten worse. Atleast, that's what I've witnessed.
First, I'd like to adress conflict. As mentioned in my prior discussion, I've noticed a fight for dominance in SO many teams.
Part of this, I believe, is mostly due to WAY too much testosterone. Let me first give you some medical stats (seeing as I'm a Med Student, this is really all I have to offer). It has been proven that Men who have served or are serving in the Military, produce up to three times as much Testosterone. The normal Testosterone levels for a man is about 800-900 nanograms. Men who have served in the military are more likely to report levels at about 1500-2500 nanograms. Clearly, we can associate AirSoft with Military Action, which makes me wonder: If a study were done of AirSoft players (male, obviously), would the results be similar to that of the military? I'd venture to guess, that YES they would. Testosterone levels have been aligned with aggression and basic risky behavior. I've noticed aggression and conflict are a big problem in AirSoft.
The natural instinct for any man is to dominate. It doesn't matter what. It just is what it is. Naturally (due to this), arguments happen and conflict is unavoidable. I mean, let's take a look at some HISTORY! In my opinion, war follows man like a shadow. In pretty much the history of EVERYTHING, there have been only about 300 years of peace (some recorded, some not) total. That obviously leaves thousands and thousands of years involving some sort of conflict. If things haven't changed in thousands of years, I doubt they would now. And seeing as AirSoft is a male-dominated sport, I don't think the conflict will stop here either.
I've also noted that, as people's rank increases, their ego often increases as well. What bothers me is that this increase in ego can reach GARGANTUAN levels that are just plain rediculous. It's at this point that people stop being leaders and start being dictators. It is also at this point, where people start to despise their leaders! This is what I don't think people realize. If you come off like a complete d**k everytime you address your team, no one is going to like you, let alone respect you. This is where that whole conflict thing starts and, in my opinion, that is better off avoided. You can't rule a team (A TEAM! Let's get this right! It's not a platoon. It's not life or death!) with an iron fist. You can't completely ignore your entire teams opinions in light of your own.
Honest to God people, these people are your team mates! You're supposed to love them! They're supposed to be your brothers/sisters and everyone is meant to respect eachother! If you don't have that foundation, you don't have anything. I'm sorry, but the way leaders act on this web site just plain pisses me off... These leaders are supposed to be cut out for leading and they come off like CHILDREN, which makes me wonder why they are leaders in the first place.
A friend once told me:
"Natural leaders will be leaders and any good leader is a good FOLLOWER!"
I think many leaders need to take this into account. If you want respect, give it. If you want to be followed, learn to follow. That is the only way you will earn your team's trust and respect. They need to know that they can listen to you and that you WILL listen to them when the time is right. The biggest thing for a leader is to know when to step up and when to step down. The problem is, I don't think anyone knows how to step down anymore. Leaders need to learn how to take a back seat. Give your orders and then step back and trust your team to follow through. You don't need to yell and scream to get them through it. Trust them.
Another thing, I've noticed the way that some leaders give orders are just plain wrong! Period. No if ands or buts.
As my friend also told me,
"Respect is earned, then commanded. NOT DEMANDED!"
It all goes back to this iron fist thing. Give it a break. Like I said, AirSoft is not life or death. There is no reason to demand anything. AND a please every once in a while might do some of you commanders some good. Being told over and over again, in an aggressive manor, to do something, doesn't make you want to do it. It just makes you angry and makes you pen that anger up which will ultimately result in conflict.
I just want everyone to realize that this conflict issue could easily be avoided. Look at your team mates as equals. Stop saying you're better than everyone else. All you're doing is making yourself look stupid, rude, egotistical, and just plain rediculous.
I'm sorry, but this has rubbed me raw and I needed to say something. At least to make me feel better.
First, I'd like to adress conflict. As mentioned in my prior discussion, I've noticed a fight for dominance in SO many teams.
Part of this, I believe, is mostly due to WAY too much testosterone. Let me first give you some medical stats (seeing as I'm a Med Student, this is really all I have to offer). It has been proven that Men who have served or are serving in the Military, produce up to three times as much Testosterone. The normal Testosterone levels for a man is about 800-900 nanograms. Men who have served in the military are more likely to report levels at about 1500-2500 nanograms. Clearly, we can associate AirSoft with Military Action, which makes me wonder: If a study were done of AirSoft players (male, obviously), would the results be similar to that of the military? I'd venture to guess, that YES they would. Testosterone levels have been aligned with aggression and basic risky behavior. I've noticed aggression and conflict are a big problem in AirSoft.
The natural instinct for any man is to dominate. It doesn't matter what. It just is what it is. Naturally (due to this), arguments happen and conflict is unavoidable. I mean, let's take a look at some HISTORY! In my opinion, war follows man like a shadow. In pretty much the history of EVERYTHING, there have been only about 300 years of peace (some recorded, some not) total. That obviously leaves thousands and thousands of years involving some sort of conflict. If things haven't changed in thousands of years, I doubt they would now. And seeing as AirSoft is a male-dominated sport, I don't think the conflict will stop here either.
I've also noted that, as people's rank increases, their ego often increases as well. What bothers me is that this increase in ego can reach GARGANTUAN levels that are just plain rediculous. It's at this point that people stop being leaders and start being dictators. It is also at this point, where people start to despise their leaders! This is what I don't think people realize. If you come off like a complete d**k everytime you address your team, no one is going to like you, let alone respect you. This is where that whole conflict thing starts and, in my opinion, that is better off avoided. You can't rule a team (A TEAM! Let's get this right! It's not a platoon. It's not life or death!) with an iron fist. You can't completely ignore your entire teams opinions in light of your own.
Honest to God people, these people are your team mates! You're supposed to love them! They're supposed to be your brothers/sisters and everyone is meant to respect eachother! If you don't have that foundation, you don't have anything. I'm sorry, but the way leaders act on this web site just plain pisses me off... These leaders are supposed to be cut out for leading and they come off like CHILDREN, which makes me wonder why they are leaders in the first place.
A friend once told me:
"Natural leaders will be leaders and any good leader is a good FOLLOWER!"
I think many leaders need to take this into account. If you want respect, give it. If you want to be followed, learn to follow. That is the only way you will earn your team's trust and respect. They need to know that they can listen to you and that you WILL listen to them when the time is right. The biggest thing for a leader is to know when to step up and when to step down. The problem is, I don't think anyone knows how to step down anymore. Leaders need to learn how to take a back seat. Give your orders and then step back and trust your team to follow through. You don't need to yell and scream to get them through it. Trust them.
Another thing, I've noticed the way that some leaders give orders are just plain wrong! Period. No if ands or buts.
As my friend also told me,
"Respect is earned, then commanded. NOT DEMANDED!"
It all goes back to this iron fist thing. Give it a break. Like I said, AirSoft is not life or death. There is no reason to demand anything. AND a please every once in a while might do some of you commanders some good. Being told over and over again, in an aggressive manor, to do something, doesn't make you want to do it. It just makes you angry and makes you pen that anger up which will ultimately result in conflict.
I just want everyone to realize that this conflict issue could easily be avoided. Look at your team mates as equals. Stop saying you're better than everyone else. All you're doing is making yourself look stupid, rude, egotistical, and just plain rediculous.
I'm sorry, but this has rubbed me raw and I needed to say something. At least to make me feel better.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mask on -
I agree with you girly =) and that is why didn't fight you for the spot on the board. And not because i got other obligations to deal with. =) I hope everything starts to get straightened out and we get this team at tip top and sky rocket to being the best we need som training but im willing to put the effort in i just hope others feel the same =)
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Permalink Reply by Capt.Firedog on -
Well spoken Cougar,Im really sorry your having this problem Ive never incountered this sort of leadership problems but most of the teams we choose to play are lead by older more mature adults.I did though incounter a power play problem from are state web site which we no longer use.I guess what I'm saying is hang in there there's alot of good airsoft comanders that can control the testosterone you say we are gorging are selves on.Shoot straight and with honor
Firedog
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