Internal squad arguements - what do u do?

[The Swine]

I have just had a respectable member of my squad resign over a an arguement between himself and another pilot, which tbh never should have happened. I just want to know (all you COs) what do you do about arguements in your squad??

When it started I just told them off for being abusive and I thought it would end there. When it didn't, I threatened the both of them with the boot if it didn't stop there and then and now I find that one has quit and the other I ain't heard from in a couple of days. (just for the record, this has NEVER happened before - not even in the slightest)

Now I feel morale is at a low and I'm 1 maybe 2 pilots down, with another 2 on hols for a couple of months..

As CO I feel that I have let the squad down, by letting the situation develop into this.. So where did I go wrong?

Any advice all ya CO's / ex-CO's?

Cheers

[ODT]S / The Swine

p.s. If any squads want a friendly - ICQ me: 44077356 :)

[AeroBob]

There's a simple and important way to get around this - back the guy who's right. It doesn't matter if it's your X/O that's in the wrong, tell him so. This may tick some people off, but it's the only fair way, and it'll give your squadron the message that if they're in the right, they'll receive your full backing.

[Conscript]

Yeah, and it will also show that as a CO, you know when someone is right and when someone is wrong, giving you a stonger position.

[[TSQN]St Peter]

All families/squads have squabbles and they are usually the worst kind because nobody wants to back down in front of friends.

We forget sometimes that our squads are made up of people who have 'real' lives that can affect their attitudes and moods and this can lead to some pretty stupid arguments.

If you want to keep both members get in touch with them both, tell them how important they are to you and give them a few days cooling off time. If they want to stay they will come to an understanding or at least a truce.

This sounds like a bunch of platitudes I know but the fact is, you are pretty powerless if they really have fallen out, if the argument was a stupid one it will be forgotten eventually.

[Rocky]

It's difficult to comment without knowing the depth and nature of the argument, but if they refuse to stop throwing handbags at each other, then one of em has to go for the good of the squadron's harmony and external reputation. As a CO you cannot pander to people, you have to make decisions and when you make them, stand by them.

One of the worst scenarios is where two people end up rowing, but end up being backed by half the squadron on each side. A decision either way is going to pish off half the squadron, but even so, you have to firm.

I would usually speak to the two parties privately and implore them to bury the hatchet for the good of the squad. If they're unable to do so, then it's decision time.

Good luck.

[ThePants999]

And if you get it wrong...? :D

[Rocky]

Originally posted by ThePants999
And if you get it wrong...? :D

Resign. :)

[The Swine]

As usual I tried to be diplomatic because I didn't want to loose either pilot by me booting them or otherwise..

I couldn't say who was right and who was wrong because the insults were flying in both directions.. Thankfully it only involved two pilots though, so that makes things a little less complicated.

Unfortunately like I've said - I've received a resignation email from one of them already. Guess it's too late

Ty for your replies :)

/goes off and demotes himself to grunt

;)

[cal12345]

just because he resigned doesnt mean he cant rejoin. just talk it through with him.

it surprises me someone would want to leave yer squad after you guys are doing so well (must have been one peck of an argument tween the 2 guys.

ps just for info i used to get into some right wrangles with odt couple a years ago and really had some arguments with 2 of yer guys when the squad had just started- after flying with you guys last year i know what a good bunch of lads you've got. talk it through with him swine (whoever it is) - surely unless its a disagreement with yer squad as a whole he shouldnt isolate himself from all of you.

[erwego]

<who is Cal12345?>

[rcslopesurfer1]

Originally posted by [TSQN]St Peter
We forget sometimes that our squads are made up of people who have 'real' lives that can affect their attitudes and moods and this can lead to some pretty stupid arguments

How close to me do you live st pete you got that prety well bang on :(

[rcslopesurfer1]

Well as you may now have guessed I am the one who resigned from ODT! over something stupid? well no I dont think so, unless you call someone asking for help with HACKING stupid? I dont! thats the top & bottom of it & my c/o didnt back me he bollicked me so I quit simple as that really & as someone else seems to have started a I h8 slopesurfer campaign I thought i would tell you the truth here & now I wont be joining a new squad as it's just nt worht it I will be only flying as & when I feel like it so dont expect me about much.
yours RCSLOPESURFER

[Coog]

Swine, being a fairly new CO all ill say is this..

Everyone makes mistakes.


its inevitable, just carry on and deal with it best u can, if both leave then its bad luck and MAYBE that bad decision, but like i say things happen and peopel make mistakes, the best way is to get on with what ur doing. Life goes on :)

[Eric The King]

Lo swine m8y

Been speaking to Notorious about this at work today

Tough one tbh, we have been having similar internal squad problems ourselves.

Basically i was wondering if an ODT webby / noticeboard may be better suited to your squads style of communication? Instead of someone mailing everyone with some pointless email he posts it on the webby where the rest of the squad can simply choose to ignore it or the admins can even remove it before it gets started.

We have an excellent squad webby and it has improved morale no end !!

Good luck with the squad m8 - good bunch of lads, except Notorious obviously..........

[The Swine]

Originally posted by Eric The King

Good luck with the squad m8 - good bunch of lads, except Notorious obviously..........


ROFL!!!

Thanks for your replies ppl - though I think the situation has calmed down a bit now :)

[erwego]

it has??

For the record, < enters crawling mode > I think Swine is a super CO.

I am sad that RC seems to have decided to leave. I have known him from his first tottering flight to his...hmmm last tottering flight. :E < u know I'm only joking m8 > but I hope everything calms down and you don't leave.

Slopes, if everyone could say things exactly as they felt about things in an email, I think u would still be with ODT. It is a medium that is often difficult to always express feelings and thoughts.

I dont think I wish to add anything else to this noticeboard post at this time.

Yours confused

Er

[[Jedi]Gryphon]

Look I aint the 1 to talk ffs I am having probs in Jedi

BUT

the main prob as I see itr is communication

As Email etc is pants for communicating, try ringing up the parties

U dont really want to loose ropes

But I guess the decision is yours

G#