TAW ABC of Leadership by TAW members "letter B"

Here is the second thread about the ABC of leadership. Now we are looking towards the letter B.

This thread stays open till the 21st of september and then will be locked again.

Bravery (Not to be confused with courage) is defined as “the ability to stand up for what is right in difficult situations.”

A good commander will stand his ground when he knows he is right and just, and will work twice as hard to protect his soldiers, even from the high command, if he knows that they are being right and just.

Rightfulness and Justice deserve protection, and standing up for them with Bravery, is a trait any commander need!

bear·ing/ˈbe(ə)riNG/

bridge building

People need to travel, mentally, from where they are to where they need to be. The reason they're not there yet is because they don't know the way or see barriers.

Show them how to get there, build the bridges.

Dont stand on what looks like one side of a chasm and shout jump.

Similar to Bridges.

Buttress 

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buttress

Something or someone to which one looks for support <the mother had always been the buttress of our family in trying times>

Since I had to sugest A was viable in the last post, why not...

B

After A, you have B, like, plan B, Backup or somthing to fall Back on.

It is easy for a plan to fail (Steinbeck anyone?) so a backup plan is rarely a bad idea.

Similar to backup, and bridges, consider

Bolster

to hold up or serve as a foundation for <used additional beams to bolster the ceiling>

You might want to bolster your team's defenses in game, or bolster your unit's integrity with new staff, or just a motivational piece here and there.

Here are some more sneeky things for leaders with enemies.

Bribe / Bait

I am not suggesting people go bribing their COC, however knowing the principles behind these covert actions (one for the next abc im sure) can spell success, either offensively or defensively.

This can come across as a show of weakness when you are strong, or a show of strengh when weak, something to give to an adversary for your own benefit, all they need to believe is that it benefits their selves. Be careful, smoke and mirrors tricks like this can be seen past with the correct perspective.

Broad-minded — Seek out diversity.

Balance -  b : the ability to move or to remain in a position without losing control or falling / 2 [singular] : a state in which different things occur in equal or proper amounts or have an equal or proper amount of importance 

Leadership must have balance - your Division / Battalion / Platoon / Squad / Fireteam should be balanced so that if you or someone else moves to a different position the unit does not fall apart or fail.

Balance between positions - No position is more important than the other. Everyone is in leadership to serve the other members of the battalion/division. Everyone is of equal importance.

Bound

As leaders in TAW, both due to the nature of leading a gaming community as well as our military roots, we are bound to those under us in our commands (squads, divisions, corps, etc.) as much as they are to us as their superior officers. We are Servant Leaders. This means that even though we are in the superior position, we serve those beneath us more than they serve us. Our job is to provide and ensure a better, more smoothly running, friendlier environment for those beneath us where their needs as players are met and their concerns are addressed.

In the military, the Lieutenant may be in command of the platoon...but when the chow truck pulls up, his soldiers eat first and if the chow runs out, the officer doesn't eat. Why? Because while he may be in command of those soldiers, his JOB is to ensure that THEY are cared for and in good shape to execute their missions. He is Bound to that platoon and with out its success, he can have none of his own.

We as TAW officers must ascribe to the same principle. If we don't see ourselves as bound to those we command and serve them by providing them with a fun, drama free environment to game in, they will soon find other clans to play with and we will be commanders of no one.    

bi·as

a particular tendency or inclination, especially one that prevents unprejudiced consideration of a question; prejudice.

Being biased  makes you lose your objectivity which can lead to serious issues with tactical decisions and even more so for social issues that pop up. Unlike an axiom which represents a sane assumption and is used to explore the consequences of said assumption a bias is something you should avoid.

Brotherhood

1. The state or relationship of being brothers.
2. Fellowship.
3. An association of men, such as a fraternity or union, united for common purposes.
4. All the members of a profession or trade.

As we join TAW and start our online adventure here, we form a sort of Brotherhood. A bond that reaches not only cross division, but cross continent. Many people switch divisions, corps and even take breaks from TAW, but they still remember and take contact to their friends despite this. I have heard of people meeting and becoming Real Life friends, people attending other members weddings and birthdays, even funerals. For some TAW is a gaming community, for others it is a gaming Brotherhood.

Belief that the members of your division/core can overcome the challenges they face and deliver on the commitments they make. Demonstrating this belief in others can always be a risky proposition for individuals in leadership positions, but failing to do so often leads to a decline in productivity, and more importantly, morale!

Franklin  Covey covers on very important trait of a leader with his Second Habit:

• Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind

Self-discover and clarify your deeply important character values and life goals. Envision the ideal characteristics for each of your various roles and relationships in life. Create a mission statement.

Brilliant : distinguished; illustrious,having or showing great intelligence, talent, quality,splendid or magnificent

Brisk - fast-moving; active

It goes without saying that a leader needs to be active and present, and fast-moving when the situation calls for it.