Leadership, Following and Listening

Written by Adina

Most people assume that they know how to lead, follow and listen. Everyone does it everyday; can’t be all that hard, right?

Well, it’s not as easy as one often assumes, particulary when applied to DAOC. Generally because people are more vocal in DAOC, and less considerate of others. I’m sure you’ve seen the situation in Emain:

Most people assume that they know how to lead, follow and listen. Everyone does it everyday; can’t be all that hard, right?

Well, it’s not as easy as one often assumes, particulary when applied to DAOC. Generally because people are more vocal in DAOC, and less considerate of others. I’m sure you’ve seen the situation in Emain:

EmainLeader: Let’s go to DC!
Follower1: Let’s do this instead.
Follower2: You suck! We’re gonna die.
EmainLeader: Screw you! (argument follows)

Compared to RL:
StoreManager: We’re going to put this on sale.
Employee1: I think we should put this on sale instead.
Employee2: You suck! That never sells! What a bad idea.
StoreManager: You’re fired! (argument follows)

The DAOC scenario is quite frequent, the RL situation much less so – it likely happens, but not on a daily basis in one large environment. Generally, people tend to be more considerate of those around them in RL, but in DAOC less so – you’re just facing avatars, right? Wrong. There’s real people behind those avatars who have real feelings too. Basically, treat others as you would want to be treated.

Leadership in DAOC

Leading in DAOC has its positives and negatives. On the plus side, you step up temporarily and back down again. What you choose to do that day will have no bearing on your individual future in the game, but a successful rvr/relic raid will turn tides for your realm. However, you’ll face alot more outright criticism trying to lead then you would in reality. Leaders are rare on our server – it’s always a bonus when one steps up to try to lead. However, when one does it seems there’s 5 other individuals who will try to edge in on it or criticize every move (although refusing to lead themselves). Leading in DAOC is difficult, but is possible when remembering a few tips. =^)

Tips for leaders:
1. Be quick, but wait for numbers. It’s a bit of a double edged sword. People are often impatient by nature – those there want to go right away. However, there’ll always seem to be a few more showing up. Wait for as many as you can, it is to your advantage. But don’t wait too long. In RVR, impatient groups will run out alone, die to a larger zerg, then you’ll find yourself having to wait for them to come back. In PVE raids, it’s often beneficial to find out who’s incoming, then announce that the furthest person away is the cut off time. Giving a firm time will deter people from inviting more friends or announcing to their guilds.
2. Be firm. People are looking for direction – if nobody is questioning your motives, make your decision on your own or with consultation with your friends or a few secondary leaders. Don’t ask the entire raid group “Do you want to go to point A or point B?” That will lead to a long debate, and your impatient people will let you know, and this will also create conflict within the raid. Pick something and do it.
3. When there is debate, do a controlled choice. If people are arguing between a) killing Legion b) killing Princes then give them a solid choice: “/c If you want to kill Legion, vote 1. If you want to kill Princes, vote 2.” At this point your screen is flooded with 1’s and 2’s. Pick the majority and go with it, and move on that plan.
4. Be communicative. Tell your raid where you are going, what you are doing. Directions are a HUGE help to your followers. When someone goes, “Where is the alb zerg?” tell them. When someone LDs in Sidi, make sure someone has clear direction back. Always suggest giving clear direction – “moving northeast”. Let them know when you’re moving, where you are going. Even if someone lags behind, they will know where to go to catch up.
5. Know what you’re talking about. If you’re leading a dragon raid, research dragon techniques. If you’re leading a relic raid, know how to get to the relic keep. You’ll earn more faith of your followers if you know what your doing.
6. Be positive. Don’t criticize your own raid participants. Sure, mistakes happen, but yelling at them isn’t going to make them want to hang around. Celebrate the small victories – “Well, they steam-rolled us at Nott, but at least we damaged their doors and pissed them off!” or “Well, our Sidi raid wiped out at the 2nd Keylord, but at least we got that far! Good job!” Keep it positive; more people will be enticed to stay.
7. Give them a reason for being there. People often need a reason to convince them to go somewhere – they need a goal. You’ll often hear, “What are we going to do next?” – tell them, and telling them why will help. People who love their rps might be needed for a keep retake – convince them that taking the keeps back might lead to some more favorable rvr in your own frontier (and hopefully it will). Often, pissing off the opposite realm is usually a good reason. =^)
8. Deal with the naysayers. No matter how hard you try to please the group, there may be some constantly spitting in your face. If they wish to zerg ahead in rvr, declare them a scout and ask for intel. Find a role to suit their whims the best you can – make them feel important in what they are doing (even if it’s not what you intended), and they’re more likely to assist with the ultimate goal.
9. Listen!!! When your zerg is asking for direction, for their goals, anyone lfg, assist them! You’re more likely to earn their loyalty as a follower if you recognize their individual importance in your raid – so just answer when they talk.

Following in DAOC

Following in DAOC is easy – you only need to mind yourself. Just keep in mind what your role is, and what your limits are. Be thankful for leaders! Their job is hard enough making decisions based on the mob/enemy, then having to manage their raids’ needs.

1. Listen!!! Listen, and follow your raid leader. Even if you think he’s suicidal and his idea will not work, go with it. Leaders make mistakes too, and sometimes no matter how hard they try they will not win in a situation. If you can’t afford an xp death in a pve raid, or refuse to die again in an rvr raid, just leave peacefully. Slandering the leader isn’t going to improve things (and wouldn’t it suck if someone did that to you while you were leading?). Just go on and come back later when things might improve to your liking, or solo somewhere and provide intel.
2. Be patient. Sometimes patience can win a battle.
3. Suggestions in tells only. Constantly going “/c I think we should do this” or “/c Let’s go to DC instead” and so forth only serve to tie up the raid leader, create conflict in the raid, and generally make them feel inadequate as a leader. If you have a valid suggestion, send a tell to the leader. Keep in mind they are busy and you may not get a response – their chat can scroll fairly quick.
4. Ask others basic questions – not the leader. For example, “Where is the zerg?” – don’t send a tell to the leader. Ask somebody within the zerg, or a guildie, etc.

Listening in DAOC

LISTEN! As a follower, listen to the leaders. As a leader, listen to your followers. A raid isn’t a raid without a leader, a leader isn’t a leader without followers on a raid. Clear communication will lend to more successful, easier raids.

Summary

Whether leading or following, you’ll always have to deal with people not supporting your cause. It’s just a game, respect the right of people to do whatever they choose. You’re more likely to persuade them being kind about it then ugly. Drop it if they don’t want to.
You can’t persaude everyone, but you can try (gently).
Don’t be a jerk to other people. They’re just here to have fun too.
There are real life people behind avatars – who may be having bad days, who may have lost a job. Give them the benefit of the doubt.
The best way to earn respect is to give it – as a leader or a follower.
Treat others as you would want to be treated.
Have fun!

There’s my summary of leading and following in DAOC…hope it might help those potential leaders out there, and freshen up followers’ skills. =^)