The Draconian

I like this post and agree with much of it.

A leader should at least try to conduct themselves with dignity. I think a leader's personality rubs off on the membership and influences the culture of the group, so the more of a lead role one plays, the more conscious one has to be of their public image.

Personally, I have such a love of jokes and humor in general, that I find it hard to stay "in character" of being a leader. However, I take strides to conduct myself in a certain way when dealing with serious issues so that people can recognize a difference.

There are a number of great leaders that carry themselves with grace and/or professionalism. Like every announcement from Dame Hime Themis. Grub was a good suggestion. grahamkeatley of TOOL. Rosen from New Era. Just to name a few.

This was a nice read.

Overall your statements make a lot of sense.

Perhaps you should write the book on "Being an Alliance Leader for D.U.M.M.I.E.S."

Cheers,

R.

This was a nice read.

Overall your statements make a lot of sense.

Perhaps you should write the book on "Being an Alliance Leader for D.U.M.M.I.E.S."

Cheers,

R.

I think the whole point of this was saying, If you need a book on "Being an alliance leader for DUMMIES" then you shouldn't be an alliance leader at all.

Either that or I just read too much into it.

This was a nice read.

Overall your statements make a lot of sense.

Perhaps you should write the book on "Being an Alliance Leader for D.U.M.M.I.E.S."

I wrote a beginners tip manual thingy as one of my first entries on here after someone sarcastically referred to the victors in Karma as the new "Elites."

Personally, I have such a love of jokes and humor in general, that I find it hard to stay "in character" of being a leader. However, I take strides to conduct myself in a certain way when dealing with serious issues so that people can recognize a difference.

Yeah, it's difficult. I love me a good troll fest, but even in that, try for accuracy.

Very well written and to the point, Xiphosis. I rated it 5 of 5. Far too many 'leaders' are rash and reactive, and while the format of the world forum and PMs lends itself so easily to that same type of 'stop, think, post' mentality that would help with this problem, it is unfortunately not used for this purpose. New leaders too often jump on IRC and think decisions need to be made at that pace, not realizing that a simple 'we'll talk about this as an alliance and get back to you' is not only politely acceptable but usually expected.

Or I might just be too old for the chat chaos of IRC. That's probably closer to the truth, unfortunately.

hmm.... this is a new era. i find myself agreeing with everything that Xiphosis is saying...

good blog, hopefully people will read this and take it to heart.

Yeah, it's difficult. I love me a good troll fest, but even in that, try for accuracy.

I hope you don't think you're an example of fine leadership, or how a fine leader should act.

Is this Xiphosis talking about being calm and having personal restraint?

*snicker*

Nice read, very will put together. I was fortunate to have KaitlinK as my first alliance leader and I learned alot from her.

However the issue I have with the piece is this:

Not even trying will turn this game ever more quickly into a gigantic pile of !@#$.

This suggest you believe it isnt already a gigantic pile of !@#$, it is.

You can punch on the messenger all you like, it doesn't change the fact that he's got a point, a very good point.

You missed our most important standards...

Must be able to write awesome Haiku's

Able to slurp down an entire grape slushy without brain freeze

Quote the entire 'Young Guns' movie

Play darts blind folded

Have, have had, or wants a glorious neck beard.

I hope you don't think you're an example of fine leadership, or how a fine leader should act.

It depends on your definition of fine leadership is. If you are talking about making an impact on power structures and crucial events, both behind the scenes and on stage, Xiphosis has been very successful. He's been involved in most of the major decisions of his alliance and coalitions. To get to that level of diplomatic hierarchy, you have to have a certain amount of panache and finesse, and have power to back it up. Panache for the masses and finesse for those both below and equal to you that you have to work with.

With the exception of the greatest, most straightforward and enjoyable war in CN history (my opinion only), the Illuminati tag team, Xiph has been on the opposite side of my IC player so I can't verifty his internal alliance abilities, but I can say from a historical perspective, Xiphosis is far above average as a leader, which I think should qualify him for a fine leader by anyone's definition.

I really have to wonder what makes you think you're equipped to be the arbiter of who should and shouldn't be an alliance leader.

Very nicely done, I agree with most of what you said. Though I must adamantly disagree with one statement:

Having said that, you have an obligation not to be a tool

Some of the best leaders I've met in this game are TOOLS.

I like this post and agree with much of it.

A leader should at least try to conduct themselves with dignity. I think a leader's personality rubs off on the membership and influences the culture of the group, so the more of a lead role one plays, the more conscious one has to be of their public image.

Personally, I have such a love of jokes and humor in general, that I find it hard to stay "in character" of being a leader. However, I take strides to conduct myself in a certain way when dealing with serious issues so that people can recognize a difference.

There are a number of great leaders that carry themselves with grace and/or professionalism. Like every announcement from Dame Hime Themis. Grub was a good suggestion. grahamkeatley of TOOL. Rosen from New Era. Just to name a few.

I agree 100% kzoppistan. Multiple times I will go into channels and forums of alliances that I love, and are allies with and I will just plain mess around joke, and carry on. I feel that being a leader you shouldn't be up on top. I feel that a good leader will stand shoulder to shoulder with their members, and talk to them as if they were in the same position as you. I know there are times where a leader must step up and conduct themselves in a "leader" way and give orders, but that is all a part of the job.

GK of TOOL, I always looked up to him, and even though we have bumped heads on numerous occasions, I still have respect for him leading the alliance that was my first home. And I thank You Kzoppistan for mentioning me, I feel like I would have not been mentioned, I don't see myself as a well known leader in this big world of CN.

o/

-Rosenator

Some of the best leaders I've met in this game are TOOLS.

ICWUTUDIDTHAR.

Was a good read, Xiph, and I find myself agreeing as well.

I liked the read, Xiph, and thank you for stating important points. However, I do have one question.

Why not write a good manual for leadership? There are those of us who aspire to leadership who could well use a reasonable manual of leadership that includes the principles you discuss. Why not write a manual that does not merely mention them, but is based upon them? Perhaps a Manual/Guide that could be approved/endorsed by several or all of the current alliance leaders?

Who better than someone so impassioned on the subject?

M

Is this Xiphosis talking about being calm and having personal restraint?

*snicker*

I do believe it is. Oh well, he will get his.

Why not write a good manual for leadership? There are those of us who aspire to leadership who could well use a reasonable manual of leadership that includes the principles you discuss.

Combine this one with the one I linked in my first comment and you pretty much have what you need to get off the ground running, as that covers internal things more (keeping unity, keeping aiding, not making retarded government structures).

I really have to wonder what makes you think you're equipped to be the arbiter of who should and shouldn't be an alliance leader.

Simply putting out thoughts. Last thing I want is an arbiter of anything on this game. I like CN politics most when it's utter anarchy.

This suggest you believe it isnt already a gigantic pile of !@#$, it is.

It can always be worse, and if you believe history, we'll find that line and run for it. A little perspective would be nice.

It's not just on the visible people to check themselves and fact-check and things of that nature, the minor posters, and more smaller leaders all contribute to the overall standard. The problem is we have total amateurs and people who're proud of that running small and major alliances; and it really handicaps things.

In one respect, I'd mourn if the forums slowed down and people posted less, but on the other I'd love it if they posted on point more. At least from my perspective, Krack's one of the more accurate (and funny) posters lately and despite only reading like 5 posts it stood out for those qualities.

Compare that with someone like Alterego who rightfully earned a rep as a Know Nothing advocate and someone totally against anything not party line, and then the people who resemble lesser degrees of that. It's like a world full of m_ivko's - only now they actually have responsibilities.

Do you people really appreciate this?

Things like this make this game more complicated, considering I'm supposed to hate you.

Alliance leadership is a difficult concept to tie down.. serious alliances need serious leaders, others may choose their own pace and be held to their own standards when issues arise. The Emperor of an Order must conduct himself in a certain manner or else he is not IC but others may choose to portray whatever they like within their own shell.

Xiphosis, I don't like you for a reason, but it is not your leadership that is in question. One day we will bother each other on IRC and sort it out, until then..

Good read though

I hate you for killing my blog Grub.