Guide - Traits Of Effective Leadership

[egyptian9]

puts people in a position where if they are a bad host they have no excuse

[TheGr8UNKy]

Great guide. No wonder you're such a great host

[SaultRoe]

Great guide, thanks for sharing!

I found that you have to lead by example.
When I declared war, I would be the first person to port into hostile territory and put up a War Report. Whether it be a victory or defeat, chalking up 'attack' reports helped to boost morale. Don't emotionally declare war either. If someone p!sses you off, organize a declaration time so that you and your ranking members can port/hit seconds after declaring.
Sharing troops/garrions/war experience in general helps a great leader make a great alliance.
Just like a major war in RL drives the economic engine, a good major war will always boost alli chat participation; and we all know ppl like active chat channels.

[Elusion]

If you ask me none of what the poster said makes a good host. That's what makes a lousy host..


As SaultRoe a great host leads by example...

If my host doesn't know a clue about the game, doesn't know what he's doing in the game, attacking/defending.. Why should I listen to anything he has to say?
I would undermine him/her every chance I got because they would be giving out bad advice.

I also think someone who is not afraid to lose a member makes a good host. Can't have every whining ***** in the alliance throwing a tantrum and getting her way cause the host has to be nice...

If you're gonna badmouth their defence/attacks... "Constructively" You might aswell do it in the main alliance chat so EVERYONE who doesn't already know, now learns something. If just one extra person learns something then it was worth it.

[Jaikaiman]

What a great post, thanks for it Arez...

I would like to add a few things that will maybe help someone else be a good/great host in the future.

Think about the future
I learnt quite quickly that people grow at different rates.
Never dismiss players out of hand as 'noobs' when they ask simple questions, even if those questions have been asked before by that same player and don't let other 'more knowledgable' players make fun of those players.
I frequently remind my players that todays 'noob' could be tomorrows champion... I've seen it happen.

Respect and Honor Goes along Way
I personally like to be respectful and honorable in my dealings with other alliances, whether it is their players, or their leadership that I am dealing with - it costs nothing and creates good feeling. I also don't allow my players to taunt other players, we do our talking with our troops.

Walk The Line
The game is very long. You must be far sighted enough to see this, and to act accordingly. So many alliance rush to the number 1 spot only to be killed off quickly because they are seen as bullies by the other alliances. If you want to be number one and stay there, get there steadily by being diplomatic. Make friendly those stronger alliances around you if needed and honor agreements made with those alliances. If they go to war, and it is warranted, then back up your allies.

Mediate
Many times smaller alliances will come to you asking for help. Personally, I like to try and help. I often take the opportunity to mediate between warring factions and try to create a peace between them. Whether successful or not, you will have gained a new friendly alliance that will be thankful of your assistance and remain loyal to you.

[Ranger77]

I think it's a great guide, but that you might add that you can't, as a host (or any ranking member{if you're online}) let arguments continue. I was in a great alliance, but one guy joined, and he had a really bad attitude and started a lot of arguments, blaming, and name-balling. HOWEVER, our host wouldn't either: 1. stop him, or 2. expel him, so about a dozen guys left, including me. So the people with positions in alliances can't let arguments (especially pointless ones) continue.

[Arez]

Thanks everyone that has commented and contributed with there own examples within there comment, some very good contributions that make this guide as a whole all that more successful, as with the opinions of others that I presume have had experience as a host themselves is very valuable. which allows the consumer to read through the comments and get a full understanding of the traits they need to incorporate into there style of leadership if haven't done so already. So once again, thanks for all that have helped with there comments and ill be sure to dish out Rep to those that have earned it

If you ask me none of what the poster said makes a good host. That's what makes a lousy host..


As SaultRoe a great host leads by example...

If my host doesn't know a clue about the game, doesn't know what he's doing in the game, attacking/defending.. Why should I listen to anything he has to say?
I would undermine him/her every chance I got because they would be giving out bad advice.

I also think someone who is not afraid to lose a member makes a good host. Can't have every whining ***** in the alliance throwing a tantrum and getting her way cause the host has to be nice...

If you're gonna badmouth their defence/attacks... "Constructively" You might aswell do it in the main alliance chat so EVERYONE who doesn't already know, now learns something. If just one extra person learns something then it was worth it.

Referring to your comments, which stood out for me as you may understand, but I have to completely disagree with many points you have stated, especially where you stated that my points make a lousy host, I know I haven't included every trait, but that is where I wanted you guys come in and add you own within your comments, I stated at the bottom of my guide that I believe the traits I discussed are the most important in my opinion and certainty doesn't make a lousy host as they all refer to the most important thing any leader could ask for and that's respect from his/her peers and from there enemies.

Moving onto your point where you said, you wouldn't listen to a host that doesn't have a clue about the game, this necessary isn't always important, Yeah as a host they shouldn't be giving out advice that isn't correct or they can't back up, but it doesn't mean they can't be a good host. We all have to start somewhere, leading is all about pulling a team together and driving them to pursue your aims and objectives, while maintaining that they are fully motivated. I became Vice host my first server, I can happily admit that I didn't have a vast amount of knowledge pertaining to the game, but I lead a group of players along with my host to great success, while on the way learning everything I could. You could say that if one has no knowledge on the game how can they lead by example? leading by example is not always about showing people how to attack, but by showing courage, determination, never give up attitude, Courage is the first of human qualities, because it is the quality which guarantees all others. Leading by example is about showing intent, a hosts intent should be that of where they aren't afraid to risk everything they have to preserve everything about there alliance, there intent will be evident in there results.

I'm going to stick by my point that you should only criticise in private, as doing this in public can cause an unnecessary tension between you and the member being criticised, no one likes to be made an example in front of everyone. I believe you take them aside, discuss what they did wrong, and most importantly how they can improve. then use there mistake as basic ground to help teach others in the alliance, just leave the constructive criticism in private.

But I'm inclined to agree with you on that a Host should be firm and strict at the right moments, No one is bigger than the alliance, everyone is treated equally, and if stepped out of line need to be expelled so no damage is done to the alliance.

Sorry to sort of rant on, just felt it was important to share my opinions in detail, also I'm not saying your points are wrong, everyone has there methods and opinions just they clashed with my beliefs on the subject. But this makes for a constructive debate which will make for a good productive reading for all that happen to come across this guide.

Once again thanks for everyone's contribution It's much appreciated.