ASSUMING A LEADERLY POSTURE or SIT UP STRAIGHT, WHIPPERSNAPPER!

    Remember how, last Friday, I promised today would be about putting together five-mans? Well, I forgot a very important lesson I had to cover beforehand, so five-mans will be pushed back until after the following. Screw truth in advertising! And the awesome part is? In a few days, I'll edit this and the last post to look seamless and completely intentional. So you folks reading this now get the special treat of laughing along with me at later readers.

    Before we can discuss the tactical basics of leadership, we must begin to develop what I call the "Leadership Persona." Perception is nine-tenths of any sort of leadership. You must appear to be large and in charge at all times. We will cover many ways to do this, but you can't even start being a leader until you project confidence. And whether you're a paragon of self-assuredness or a bit more neurotic, I will teach you to at least fake it until you can make it.   

    Players are more than just toons on a screen, but real living people, with bodies. Not only does this mean players should treat each other with respect, it means a leader's body is a useful tool. To lead groups, you must use this tool properly.

    So, the first step to feeling like a leader is moving like a leader, even if no one can see it. Actors call this "physical life." By moving the way your character moves, you begin to embody and feel more like the character. If you want to play an infirm person, hunch over and take tiny steps. If you want to play a toughguy, stick your chest out. If your "character" is a strong leader, you sit up, square your shoulders and hold your head up.

    Set your screen at eye level and sit up straight, keeping your butt and shoulder blades against your chair's back. Do not hunch forward and peer into the screen like Quasimodo the Basement Virgin. Look dead ahead at the action, or if you have a laptop, imperiously down. This posture is difficult to maintain at first, and you might feel like you're stretching further for the controls, but stick with it.

    Sitting up is, of course, much better for your back in the long run. You'll actually have a wider range of motion with your arms extended, and reduce risk of repetitive stress injuries. Keep sitting up and your confidence will grow tangibly. No one will be able to see you, but assuming an assertive posture helps you maintain an assertive attitude. Some players can even tell over VOIP who is sitting up or slumping.

    Slumpers, y'see, have a tough time maintaining what I call a "Radio Voice." Whereas sitting up straight can only be guessed at over the internet, a clear speaking voice is key to good leadership. We will start to develop just such a voice, next time.