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From the nature of your question, I assume you are asking about serving under different leadership styles and background information with no information a priori about destination and not knowing anything about composition of each group.
Michael has more charisma and the protective instincs of a squad leader. But, as soon as the interpersonal skills drift from chain of command he comes up lacking. He is too hot headed and insecure about his position. Michael has very good situational awareness and can react in a crisis. He can evaluate and lead. Without all the information very rarely will the perfect choice be made. But, any action is better than the inaction caused by a trembling spirit. This is not something that is easily taught and to valuable to be ignored. So, two tumbs up for tacticts. But, planning out a strategy and implementing defensive measures is lacking.
Angel has come along way. He is better with people. He often uses this skill to steer Michael back in line when his temper takes him off the rails. This suble leadership with a light hand is good and I am sure it will get better as Angel becomes more comfortable in his role. Michael also has the ability to not necesarily admit, but defer to others with more experience. Do I want him in my foxhole? Probably not. He Hesitates in combat / stress conditions. In one way, this can never be overcome. He will always freeze until his rational side takes back over and tells him that he has to do something. Nothing to be ashamed of. Albeit almost an axium that People Rise to the Occasion, it is actually more like people will fall down to the level of their training.
My assumption is we have been there several months. I assume I would be treated by Michael as he treats Burt. Unless I have burned through that and gotten significantly past it I would not be able to go with Michael. If you got two big dogs and only one alpha position you can be rest assured that they are going to fight, hard, someday.
Michael is an excellent leader. It’s like Saul said somewhere in first season, he puts others first before himself. I think it’s hard on him, but somehow he pulls it off. He almost broke when Tommy died, but still saved eventually everyone. I think it also comes from his prior experience in the field, he mentions the incident when he was the guilty one. Psychologically it’s good that he feels guilt, it means that he recognises his mistakes and ready to correct them. He doesn’t hide from them and not trying to escape the self torture.
However despite his natural abilities I believe it’s not only he but a good team behind him. Angel including. The first quarter of first season shaped the team around him. And to be honest it’s no longer a team – its family. Otherwise they wouldn’t save Datu or went after Liz. However I cannot imagine he would succeed without the support, pair him with Steven or Victor or anyone else, I think it will collapse. Steven going to bitch and Viktor rebel or even worse plot against Michael.
As for Angel, at the start he seemed incapable to lead. However Michael mentioned, I think, that he never been out there in combat. So Angel was not yet tested. We know he is higher in rank than Michael, so let’s assume that the ones who put him there during normal life knew what they were doing. I don’t think in military they would’ve misjudged the character of a person. After all military is another survival challenge. I think Angel was tested more than once during all seasons, and at the moment he is my favourite character. He slowly grows on me. He is a bit rude a times and cocky, but he doesn’t give up. I think eventually he will be brought to a point as a character where he will lead. It will be another test. But I don’t think he will be able to lead if Michael going to be around. Because he still feels as if Michael judges his decisions, he needs his own group.
He was an Lt, meaning he was just out of officer school, if the Aussie military is anything 2 go by, there is a test so to speak to get into becoming an officer, but it doesn't mean he is suitable to lead the tower.Quote:
Originally Posted by Survivor
But yea he has been tested in the series and has come out being dependable. Something that would be hard for the best of us.
If forced to choose between them I'd go with Michael. But, I really like how they balance each other out.