Leadership & Authority
In any unfamiliar situation, people want to be told what to do.
Blunt, perhaps, but the evidence is clear time and time again. During a crisis,
a catastrophe, or combat, it is the rare individual who can and will act
independently to step to the forefront and accept responsibility for
coordinating the efforts of those around them. When it happens, people follow.
In any of these instances, people first look to apparent authority
- anyone in uniform; implied authority - anyone in an expensive
suit with a commanding presence, such as a politician or
executive; or, finally, asserted authority - anyone who takes
charge and begins issuing orders in a firm, decisive manner... regardless of
whether or not they know what they are doing. If what they tell people to do
"sounds" logical or, at the very least, is not absolutely ridiculous, the odds
are, the rest of the people will accept that authority and follow those
commands.
Society has conditioned us to obey authority. During a stressful or dangerous
situation, anyone who projects even the semblance of competence and command will
hold sway over the majority of any group. The interesting part comes when two or
more people step forward with opposing opinions. In some cases, it is acceptable
to debate the merits and settle upon the option which is most compelling; in
other cases it is imperative that action be swift and compliance immediate.
Leadership by committee is a luxury best kept to political crises.
In a true emergency, you must be compelling in your commands and certain of your
authority. Immediate action must result in immediate reaction.
Politeness is all well and fine, but it does little good to say, "Please lower
yourselves to the ground as there appears to be a rather large object rapidly
approaching an intersection with your thick head," when a simple, authoritative
"Duck!" followed by a fashionably rude body slam (if they
hesitate) will save a persons life.
A leader should always have a good reason for giving an order,
but he or she should not be required to explain each
order before it is carried out. That way leads to sorrow. This means
that the people must believe that you know what you are doing, trust that your
judgment is sound, accept that the rationale for your orders is valid, and
believe that what you are telling them to do will result in something more
beneficial than any alternative.
In an immediate crises or emergency, this may only be projected through a strong
persona – stature, self-assuredness, and tone of voice. Wearing an authoritative
uniform or flashing a badge may help, but is not automatically necessary.
Steady, firm commands given with absolute authority (conviction) will generally
be followed.
In times of relative normality, few, if any, want to be told what to do.
Everyone will have their own opinion, everyone will want to do things the way
they want to do it. During these times, it is necessary to prove your authority
and leadership ability by example, consistently showing that your ideas and your
commands and your actions result in consequences that improve your situation,
your quality of life, and that of those who follow your lead. In quiet times,
you must continuously prove that your direction is beneficial to everyone
associated with you.
In pre-crises times, such as we are experiencing now, it is possible to
establish leadership potential and authority simply by anticipating the needs of
the future, preparing for them, and making them available to others. During this
period, it is highly likely – almost certain, in fact - that you will be
ridiculed for your actions. Like the story of the ant and the grasshopper, most
people are grasshoppers, while you are the ant preparing for the long, cold
winter ahead. Like the grasshopper, people will resent your foresight, resent
your determination, resent and ridicule your preparation, and view these
principles that you hold as some sort of false sense of superiority.
When that winter comes, many will resent the realization that they were wrong
and you were right. These will become "the bad guys"
who will demand that you give them what is yours and will try to take it from
you either by playing on your sense of justice, through subterfuge (theft),
or by force. You must be prepared to recognize this type of people and be
prepared to handle them with the appropriate response. It is imperative that you
plan now to deal with this type, for your actions will greatly influence the
other, non-vindictive, grasshoppers.
Those people who come to this same realization and, rather than resent it, view
it philosophically – "Yeah, my bad. You tried to tell
us and we didn't listen…" – these are the people you want to be able
and ready to absorb into your group. In fact, you MUST have a plan to help
them help themselves, or, in their desperation, they will join forces
with the others, against you. You must not turn away good people. Therefore, you
must have a cohesive plan of action for including them.
If this is to happen – for your own survival – it is imperative
that you have access to what these people will need. It begins with leadership –
a command authority and a support base of sub-commanders and supplies, or access
to supplies. You must have food, water, blankets, medicine (or at least medical
treatment), and shelter for all those who come to you, not in arrogance, but in
need.
Those who you help will become your supporters. Those you deny will become your
enemies. It is as simple as that. If you have a plan for dealing with this, and
a pre-selected cadre of sub-commanders and "troops" you will be able to absorb
the right type of survivors efficiently and effectively, increasing your
authority as well as your ability to defend against the bad guys. Having a plan
well before any event, a system to absorb and put to use those survivors who
find you, will impress upon these survivors your command ability, seal your
authority over them – at least initially – and give you the human resources to
solidify your position.
This is the reason for the maps, the route planning, the facilities locations,
etc. It is the reason you invited those professional and technical grasshoppers
while all they were concerned with was fiddling away in their own lives. It is
the reason you networked with active survivalists (and yes, even the "preppers")
in your immediate area and set up rally points, bases of operation, and
contingency plans. It is the reason you established a command hierarchy among
yourselves when there was no immediate threat in sight. You and your group must
be able to implement your plans before the bad guys get organized. You must be
able to present a viable alternative to the people before they are recruited by
the bad guys.
In order to do this, you must be able to present yourself correctly. You and
your initial group must be clean, well dressed, organized physically and
mentally, and be able to present a plan for the salvation of others. You must be
able to present yourself as strong, yet concerned and compassionate, and
absolutely certain that you have the answers to their questions.
As new people present themselves to your group for aid, you should keep them
together until you have a accumulated a couple of dozen or more, then present
them with their options – stay or leave – and follow this with the rules of the
group. These rules must be fair, firm, clearly stated, and established
immediately. The consequences for violating these rules must be equally clear.
Anyone who balks at these rules, or the consequences, should be stripped of any
weapons, and sent on their way – in full view of anyone else present. Make sure
that every person present in the group takes a good look at the balking person –
being able to identify them may become important in the future. This action
should be taken immediately, using overwhelming force to preclude any attempt at
violence. You and your security team should be as gentle as possible, polite –
even remorseful at having to take such action – yet absolutely firm in your
conviction. Bring them to the front of the group so all may see his or her face.
"You have brought nothing to
this group that we do not already have, or have access to. We offered you
sanctuary – food, shelter, medical attention, and protection – and YOU would
make demands upon US? We have no use for those who cannot appreciate what
we offer, nor accept our fair and civil rules for joining our society and
sharing our goodwill. You may leave in peace, but we will not allow you to
take anything with you that you may use against us or the people we are here
to protect. Leave your weapons, and go."
It is important that you have witnesses – and that all
newcomers be witnesses – to these events. It reinforces your authority,
reinforces your goodwill, reinforces your desire to protect and defend your
group.
Suggested rules and consequences:
1.) Everyone not injured or otherwise incapacitated must
work. This includes children and the elderly folks, though tasks assigned
will be appropriate on an individual basis.
2.) "Work" is defined as the cheerful and enthusiastic
completion of assigned tasks to the best of your ability. Half-assed
attempts to complete a task are not acceptable. If you do a thing, do it
right, do it right the first time, and do not leave anything for "someone
else" to complete or clean up after you.
3.) All members of this group demand courtesy and respect
. Men will be addressed as "Sir" or "Mr." (followed by their last name, if
known) or by their first name if they have given their consent
for you to use it. Women will be addressed as "Miss" or Mrs. (followed by
their last name, if known) or by their first name only if they
have given their consent for you to use it.
4.) All members of this group are required to pitch in
and lend a hand, where needed, whenever they are not currently engaged in
assigned tasks or duties.
5.) All members of this society are required to become
familiar with the basics of self-defense, tailored to their age and
abilities.
6.) All members of this group are required to become
familiar and proficient with basic first aid techniques.
7.) All members of this group are required to become
familiar and proficient in foraging and scavenging techniques.
8.) All food, water, medical supplies, ammunition, and
designated support equipment are communal property vital to the safety and
security of this group. Theft, intentional destruction, and unauthorized use
of these materials is a capital offense
– punishable by banishment or death, depending on the severity of the crime.
9.) All disputes between members must be brought to
mediation before escalating to violence. Any member initiating violence
against another – whether through physical force, intentional prodding or
other indiscretion – will be brought to trial. If found guilty of an
intentional act, the miscreant will face punishment or restriction up to and
including banishment from the group.
10.) Displays of racism or bigotry will result in your
being immediately banished from the group.
11.) You are forbidden from proselytizing your religion
without direct invitation, nor may you attempt to impose the tenets of your
belief upon any non-conforming member of this society. WHEN POSSIBLE, we
will attempt to accommodate the strictures necessary for YOU to comply with
your faith, so long as they do not interfere with the safety or security of
the group as a whole, or violate other rules established for this society.
Any denigration of another's religion or belief system will constitute a
violation of the rule against bigotry.
12.) Public intoxication of any kind will result in
punishment or restriction up to and including banishment from the group.
13.) Rape, molestation, and murder are punishable by
death.
14.) Single men and single women will reside in separate
quarters. No cohabitation without marriage. Families and Married couples
will not be separated, though they may need to share quarters with other
families/couples. Unaccompanied children will be placed with other families
or married couples, depending on the circumstances.
15.) All members of the group are required to comply with
the lawful orders issued by members of the security team. If under attack or
in case of emergency, orders by the security team are to be obeyed
implicitly and immediately. Any points of question regarding these orders,
or disagreement with the orders issued, may be adjudicated after the crises
has been handled.
"These are the basic rules
for becoming a member of this society and maintaining that status. In return
for full and voluntary compliance, you will be provided with food, water,
shelter, medical attention and protection to the best of our combined
abilities. Eventually we hope to re-establish a civil and technological
society. We hope that you will help us accomplish this noble task as a
productive member of our group. If you cannot comply with these rules, you
may leave at this time, in peace – but you will be required to leave any
offensive weapons that may be used against this group behind. Make your
decision."
In-processing questionnaire for newly
arrived members:
You have already been accepted into this group. There is no need to embellish
or withhold information. Answer the questions as completely and honestly as you
can -
~ Name, previous address, prior occupation.
~ Blood type, if known.
~ Allergies or any other known medical conditions?
~ What physical/medical limitations do you have?
~ What skill or skills do you possess that you believe will be of most benefit
to this group?
~ Do you have any police, medical, fire-fighting or military experience?
~ Can you operate any vehicles, aircraft, heavy equipment or other specialized
machinery?
~ What languages are you fluent in, besides English?
~ Do you have any technical, scientific or engineering experience that you may
bring to this group?
~ Do you have any hunting, foraging or survival skills that you bring to this
group?
~ What level of experience and/or proficiency do you have with any weapons?
~ What level of experience and/or proficiency do you have with self-defense
training/techniques?
~ Do you believe that you can teach what you know to others?
For those who aspire to be leaders, I will follow with a couple of snagged posts
on the qualities, character and traits of good leaders. Hope this has been
helpful and insightful. All comments - pro, con, or other suggestions - are
solicited.
Response:
Hi, MEG, been on your site again & wow
it is really good. Will have to print out a lot of stuff ... so I can
put it into practice while away from the computer. I would
never plagiarize.
One suggestion comes to mind -- since your site asks for
comments -- on the page of "Leadership &
Authority", at the end, where there are questions to ask a
newly welcomed member, they are really
good questions. That's one of the parts for sure I will have
to print out. I'd like to suggest one or 2
others for you to think about adding. I dunno if maybe they
are best asked in private, away from the
rest of the group. But since in a newly-forming group, or one
with new member(s) being added which
will alter the dynamics somewhat, it is good to know in
advance, if possible, what ticks a person off or
will make them freak out.
Like, if a woman has been raped (esp. if it is recent), she
will feel uneasy about being in a room with
a guy & not have easy access to an escape route. Or if a
person has a mental illness & hasn't had
their meds in a couple days, this is good to know so they and
others can plan ahead to cut them
some slack or not stress them when they are already trying
hard to stay somewhat normal.
Just a thought for your mulling. I won't be offended if you
choose not to use them.
Thanks for the very very clear, no-nonsense, practical tone
in your site. I haven't found many like this!
Regards,
Kris in MN
Reply:
Thanks, Kris, for your kind comments regarding the site & the
articles. As to your suggestions, I
believe the "Allergies or any other
known medical conditions?" and "What
physical/
medical limitations do you have?" questions cover
part of it.
As to the other...
Perhaps a psych-eval interview
with new members should also be included. An "informal"
discussion around this one question: "What
have you been doing since this crisis began, how
did you manage to survive long enough to reach us, and what
have you experienced in that time?"
This could be conducted in a "round table forum" and any
individuals displaying obvious
problems could be interviewed more formally, in private. Of
course, the formal interview
should be conducted with gender-appropriate considerations.
Thanks for the suggestion!
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