Leadership: An Opinion

[Honora]

Well, I've found myself thinking of this lately, as I've been questing a lot and the issue has come up.  As I see little that specifically addresses this topic, I am putting it up with my ideas and opinions on the matter for respectful public discussion.

First:  It is my opinion that any large (and by large I mean 8 or more) quest benefits from leadership.  One person to keep things moving and speak for the party to the GM when necessary.  Less than 8 people is small enough to allow for fast communication, and leadership becomes nebulous then.  But when you have a party with a goal or set of goals, and lots of opinions, and lots of different skills sets, then one or two people to streamline things is very handy and prevents a lot of duplication and wasted time.

What do I think a leader is?  Well, it is NOT someone to make all the decisions of the party, or someone to try to do just about everything for the party.  A leader is not the center of attention.  A leader is the person who takes time to learn the names of all the party members, and what they can offer.  A leader listens to what each party member says; a leader puts things to a vote, while still imposing a meaningful time limit based on the situation.   A leader works with the strengths of the party members, and most importantly, a leader remembers that EVERY person in that group wants 15 minutes of fame, their moment in the spotlight.

With that in mind, here are suggestions based on my experience.

1)  Suggest the party choose a leader.  It never hurts.  Don't get mad if it's not you.

2)  If it is you, find out people's names, and what they do.  Find out who your sneakers are, your frontline weaponslingers, your spellcasters, your healers.  Right away you can judge who might be best to deal with different obstacles.

3)  Use them!  A crafty trap is presented?  Ask the roguey types to confer; engage the rest of the group in discussion about some other aspect of the challenge while the specialists do their job.  Trap is magical?  Call in the spellcasters!  It is my suggestion that all persons able to help with a problem are encouraged to do so; yes, the level 7 wizard in your party won't beat Lin'da in a spellcraft check, but it is his area too, and I've seen some lower level players who can think circles around higher levels.

4)  Listen to opinions.  Put things to a vote.  You are about to transverse an untamed area but the ranger does not want to hurt animals?  Ask the party if they agree.  Better the majority says "no way jose those critters are toast" than no one say anything and things just sort of...happen.  Then the ranger feels ignored and perhaps upset that he was not allowed to even try to sway opinion.  When time permits, fix on a plan with the group.

5)  Related to 4. is solicit opinions.  If someone seems to be along for the ride, ask them what they think. Perhaps they are shy?  Perhaps they are new?  Give them the chance to speak on issues before the group.

6)  Consider your situation.  Someone who has to take frequent AFKs to deal with household/work/marital/whatever situations won't be able to give the constant stream of text his or her attention.  If you think you will hold the group up, step down.  

7)  Very important; thank people.  By their name.  A sincere thank you to the fighter for doing some difficult strength checks against a stuck door, or lifting the deceased party member and carrying him for miles, does wonders.

8 )  Lastly, know your own limitations.  You may not be the leader all the time, or you may want to share that with others to keep from burning out or to spread the love.  Example:  Recently a round table discussion was held regarding a quest and directions the party could take.  One party member, Daniel, took the reins and started taking names and calling on people in order, then letting some discussion happen before calling on the next person.  Before he did this, discussion was commencing but people who were being polite and *raising thier hand* were being ignored.  Once the flow was established, he handed the leadership of the discussion to Honora, who kept the flow going until decisions were made.  Two people, one initiating, and a positive final outcome aided by it.

Another example:  Honora has lead this particular quest before.  When she lead, however, it was internally only.  A half-orc with fangs is not the best choice to be spokesperson to that lovely sea elf cleric, or the nobility with information needed to continue.  As far as leadership goes, she was internal only, to those who knew her and looked beyond her exterior.  Leadership will shift when different situations come up.  Relinquish control, and enjoy the RP.

This has been a bit wordy but I hope I have sparked some food for debate and thought.  Your opinions?

[DMOE]

Very well put, very valid....Nice!!!

[LynnJuniper]

Very Well Put, there is a lot to take to heart and learn here:

One comment from the other side of the spectrum:

No appointed 'leader' of a group wants to ever hear the words: "You're the leader you decide" Everyone has a say. It may not be a popular say. It may be a loud say. It may be a quiet say. It may be a say from completley out of left field. Everyone has one. And everyone has the ability in one way or another, at a scream or a whisper to voice it....lets just try to come to a compromise and get those out. Its something everyone has to learn, along with Everything Honora just stated. Some people take longer to learn this than others. Some characters intentionally take longer and need that extra kick to get it. The long and short of it is: This is advice that should be taken for its IC and OOC value.

[Nibor21]

Within Layo and especially a GM led quest how do you suggest leadership be handled between those individuals who are natural RL leaders (and will therefore try and automatically take charge of any given group) and those who are playing highly charismatic leaders?

Who should lead, the PC playing the wizard with a charisma of 8 but who in RL is a natural leader, or the quiet soul who is playing a paladin at the height of his powers with a charisma of 30?

[ycleption]

Honestly, I disagree with the notion that a party "decide" a leader (I agree with the rest of the post though). Think about, how many times in group projects of whatnot do you actually decide someone leads. Sometimes, someone will naturally assume leadership, other times, no one will and things just flounder along, sometimes, there are multiple people trying to be leaders and they butt heads. Regardless, I think both in real life and in role-playing these things happen naturally, and to me the idea of appointing a leader seems artificial. I have no doubt it makes things more efficient, as you say. If you play a character who likes order and hierarchy, sure, ask to name a leader, if you play an individualist, you may not want to.
Really, I guess what I'm saying is let roleplaying dictate the issue, rather than trying to conform to a certain idea of party-style adventuring.

[Laldiien]

ycleption - 2/20/2007 2:45 PM Honestly, I disagree with the notion that a party "decide" a leader (I agree with the rest of the post though). Think about, how many times in group projects of whatnot do you actually decide someone leads. Sometimes, someone will naturally assume leadership, other times, no one will and things just flounder along, sometimes, there are multiple people trying to be leaders and they butt heads. Regardless, I think both in real life and in role-playing these things happen naturally, and to me the idea of appointing a leader seems artificial. I have no doubt it makes things more efficient, as you say. If you play a character who likes order and hierarchy, sure, ask to name a leader, if you play an individualist, you may not want to. Really, I guess what I'm saying is let roleplaying dictate the issue, rather than trying to conform to a certain idea of party-style adventuring.

 Feel free to disagree, but also realize that just barrelling ahead and appointing oneself to be the speaker is grating, agitating, annoying and short-sighted. I have been on several quests that weren't fun because one person decided to take the reigns (AND THEN REFUSED TO LET THEM GO). That was the key point. They held tight, made all the decisions and because people are generally nice, they don't want to cause a rukus. Galen is a True Neutral cleric. He enjoys long walks in the park, harmony and the sharing of responsability. He would not be the kind to forcefully usurp the role. But having a character make a quest their own private CDQ makes me wish the server was PvP, just so I could shoot them in the back and say, "Change of Managment".
  If you are a natural leader, lead. But being a leader isn't about being in the spotlight, getting the glory or having all the attention.Being a leader means when the group makes a mistake, YOU are responsible. YOUshoulder the burden. YOUPERSONALLY accept the consequences for failure.Being a leader is using your followers to their fullest potential. Knowing a strength, guiding them and showing them *why* you are the leader. Wanna be in charge? Great. Wanna be a leader? Cool. When big bad comes up, blood in his eye looking for some entrails, the way you have treated your party will determine whether you get to keep your spleen.

[Nyralotep]

I agree with you, Laldiien, wholeheartedly!  

I've seen too many times where everything just grinds to a halt, even with adventuring parties.  Those are usually the ones I like least.  I myself never like to play the part of a leader but rather prefer to follow.

[Skywatcher]

Good thoughts Honora.  I agree that direction and focus are really helped when there is someone maintaining the big picture.  I think some of the emotion around this issue comes from the title "leader".  I think what is realy needed and what you have described is more of a facilitator.  Someone who is above the fray and keeps the big picture in mind.

[ycleption]

Laldiien - 2/20/2007  12:05 PM  Feel free to disagree, but also realize that just barrelling ahead and appointing oneself to be the speaker is grating, agitating, annoying and short-sighted.

 

But being a leader isn't about being in the spotlight, getting the glory or having all the attention.  Being a leader means when the group makes a mistake, YOU are responsible.

 Agreed. But if you don't understand this, you aren't leading, you are bullying.  To me, being a leader may involve ceding the spotlight, (Mr. 500hp, will you take the front of the charge?) or letting others be the speaker (You have dealt with this in the past, could you share any wisdom you may have on the subject?), but sometimes the biggest job a leader can do is just to speak first, in order to empower others.

[EdTheKet]

the biggest job a leader can do is just to speak first, in order to empower others.

Nice quote!

[Honora]

I'd have to agree with you Clarissa, on second read; what I have described is a facilitator.  And those kinds of people (like me) tend to come out regardless of actual character, even when we try not to.  As far as the shy paladin with CHA 30, or the half-orc with CHA 9, it's still going to be who is willing in my opinion.  If the paladin has a CHA 30, maybe he's better as spokesperson but not so much as facilitator; if the human fighter CHA 10 is more organized, then she can assume the behind-the-scenes role.

Yes, it is absolutely contrived to appoint a leader.  BUT it's also contrived to have a bunch of people "happen" on a quest such as we do so often.  I guess I look at it this way; in any large group with a common goal, someone will end up keeping the threads together, contrived or not.  It's tempting to just let RP run it's course but I've seen as well that lead to long, pointless quests with no sense accomplishment.  So as I'm kind of lawful by nature... I'm all about facilitation which by the way as a word never gets easier to type.

Interesting responses so far!

[Pen N Popper]

I agree whole heartedly with Honora's original post. Quests are stories meant to unfold along creases both straight and unforeseen. A good facilitator makes the unwrapping so much more enjoyable.
  I strongly believe that more of this would be beneficial in our day-to-day RP as well. All of our PCs have their little stories, histories, flaws, fears, and dreams. Sometimes I feel like we're all in rubber bubbles, in our own little worlds. I can see your PC but his/her story is bouncing around inside out of sight. I try very hard with my PCs to pop your bubbles. Unfortunately, I am a bubble too and we just bounce off each other mostly.
  Hope to see some more facilitators with sharp needles on the trails out there. Honora, I'll be watching for you. :-)

[cbnicholson]

Well said, Jill, and if you really believe your cha 9 half orc lass can't lead...*rolls eyes*. :p

[miltonyorkcastle]

*nods once, slowly, in passing**

[Dorax Windsmith]

Nice discussion Honora.  Your thoughts are good and most of the time this is a good starting point, most leaders will reveal themselves eventually in a given situation, keeping control of the entire group is always the biggest challenge.

[Faldred]

Honora - 2/20/2007  5:24 PM
Yes, it is absolutely contrived to appoint a leader... I guess I look at it this way; in any large group with a common goal, someone will end up keeping the threads together, contrived or not.

You contradict yourself, but your second thought is correct -- it is not contrived to have an appointed leader, it is actually quite natural.  Any time you have a group of people together, someone is going to wind up taking charge of the group, whether they want to or not.

[LordCove]

*points above to Faldred's post*

Yes....whether they want to....."or not!!"