Good discussion, and some good advice. I would say that I know all that stuff, but, as said, it's about remembering in the heat of the battle. I think the biggest issue is getting a whole team that understands these principles, and you just don't get that in Gold.
I must admit that I've learnt a lot from watching the pro's in OWL, and the tips from imginy match what I've seen; especially grouping up, knowing when a fight is lost, combining ults, and not to use an ult on a lost fight (unless the clock is close to zero). In Gold, it is frustrating knowing this stuff and your teammates doing their own thing. Like grouping up before going into a fight and not trickling in, combining ults or even following up on an ult as a team. I've started playing Rein lately, and the amount of times you start with a healer and teammates behind you, you lead the attack, drop the hammer, and then realise that you are alone on the point... you kill one or two of them, and then quickly die to the other three. I have also learnt with Rein to use his charge sparingly to avoid overextending as a result.
I get frustrated about teammates not grouping before going into a fight, but especially when playing Brig. You watch OWL, the team groups up before engaging, Brig uses ult and armors everyone, then you engage. At my level, no matter how much you communicate to group up, and you have ult and want to boost everyone, it feels like you're on your own. I'm still working on the charge/melee/whip combo, but I'm only getting it half the time... I don't know if it is my ping (40ms), my decreasing reflexes with old age, or I'm just crap! I have a dream that things will improve a little when I get GSync monitor (hopefully next few months), but I know I'm kidding myself!
Did my comp placements for the 1st time in about 5 seasons today, on my alt account though. Got placed 2800 which is ok I guess since the highest I've been on this account is very low 3000s.
I still have the controversial opinion that maining dps and purely out aiming your enemies is the way to go to climb in Overwatch. I know the game tries its absolute hardest to stop solo carrying but 2-3 picks with Widow is going to win you the fight 9 times out of 10.
I'm sure that you're right, and this is how it should be IMHO. If your accuracy and elims are higher than everyone else in your match, then you should be climbing SR. Of course, each person has their limit when it comes to aiming, so telling someone to just out aim everyone if you want to climb is the same as saying "git gud". Unless I invest a lot more time in the game (unlikely), I think my accuracy has plateaued, so my gains are currently from improving positioning and decision-making.
A good Widow is priceless on your own team and so frustrating when on the other team. I've had a couple of evenings grouped with a Widow main who appears to average 55% scoped accuracy...nearly every fight is at least 6v5
I'm very happy with this I been grinding it out for past couple of weeks trying to get it.