Personaly I don't think looks matter much. I kind of chuckel at the milsim guys that are super decked out from head to toe in tactical gear luging around a 20# gun. But that's just me I use a light gun and just Cary what I need and don't care about looking milsim. I just try to get the job done and that will get you much more respect than dressing up in millsim gear.
Not trying to bash any one that is into milsim play. Just throwing out my openion.
Totally agree.
From my experiences, milsim gear + acting tough = doesn't know jack about actually playing. They've got 10 lbs of useless junk (i.e. lasers, bipods, and my favorite is a stock that totally prevents them from using the sights, yet they still try to use them...). So all the bolt-on stuff slows them down, makes them bigger targets, and limits their ability to actually shoot accurately on the field. So what do they do to compensate for lack of actual combat ability? Talk tough, act tough. Sure, it gets the noobs to respect them. But they know about as much about playing paintball as the milsim guy. I see this EVERY time I play.
Now, I'm not saying everyone that has a milsim gun is like this. I have my "Project BAT" XM16E1 MR-1 that was nominated for the Hall of Fame over at Milsim Empire. Enhander has/had his AK-A5, Tommy 98, BAR, and soon-to-be M1A1 Carbine. It's the combination of attitude and gun.
Looks only impress new players. Any serious player can see past looks and recognize attitude, experience, and ability on the field. The ones that have a good attitude and a good players are the ones to follow. You can usually tell these players from the way they carry themselves off the field. Their body language shows that they know their equipment, they've carefully selected their gear for their style, and generally they are somewhat unassuming off the field. Those trying to look and act tough are almost always putting up a veil to cover a lack of ability on the field.
On the leading thing though, leading from the front is always more effective than leading from the back. But at the same time, a leader in the back still in the game is better than a leader that got eliminated up front. You have to balance being aggressive and protecting yourself.