Beginners Guide: Leading the Team Pt. 1
(Editor's Note: Team Lead is my favorite role and is the role I've played in all but one of the Megagames I've played.)
If you’re the one trying to get all your friends to try Megagames, you'll probably be saddled with leading your team. Here are a few things you can do to help guide your team to a successful day.
Know the Rules
Arguably, this is one of the hardest parts about being a Team Lead in a Megagame. You’ll be the first person your teammates come to if they have an issue or a question. You’ll be able to answer those questions, or even vaguely remember reading something about it in the rule book, by spending some extra time reading all of the rules for your team (if they’re available).
No, you shouldn’t be expected to have the entire rulebook memorized. However, some familiarity would be a huge help for the entire team. This familiarity will also help you as you make ‘leadership decisions’ throughout the game. If you can't quickly find the answer, point your teammate to the closest Control team member.
Turn By Turn Gameplan
Outside of your game specific duties, Team Leads are usually the ones who help come up with a team’s gameplan for any given turn. You’ll help your teammates prioritize different tasks and focus resources for specific endeavors. If the game provided you with Objectives or Guidelines to follow, you’ll be the one who is tasked with making sure this gameplan aligns with those objectives.
It’s important to work with your teammates and get their inputs before finalizing a plan. The other players (should) know their role better than anyone else at the table. They’ll be able to give you valuable information about what has happened previously and how that might impact the game go forward.
Listen to the Team
Team time, or your game’s version of it, is the most important time for a Team Lead. Find a way to organize the time that works for your group. It may be going ‘around the horn’ so everyone gets a chance to talk or it might be asking about specific topics that are important at that time. Regardless, involve and listen to everyone. This is the only way you can come up with a good plan for subsequent rounds.
After everyone has shared their turn recaps, dive deeper into any relevant topics (ie. maybe your Researcher overheard a conversation that your Diplomat needs to follow up on) and start to come up with the gameplan. Encourage everyone to have a say on what goes on in a turn. This is a game and your teammates need to have a hand in what goes on. That being said, when a roadblock is encountered or there are two opposing ideas; it’s up to the Team Lead to be the deciding vote.
Be Decisive
When you make decisions, do so with fervor. Your confidence in your team's direction will help inspire your teammates as they set off. There's nothing more confusing than hearing a plan change as Team Time ends.
As Team Lead, you are the motor that keeps your team running. It can be a taxing role but those that thrive in those situations are nearly guaranteed a great time.
In Leading the Team Pt. 2, we'll discuss dealing with failure and other setbacks you may encounter during a Megagame.
