Someone asked me a while ago, "Why don't you quit? Why do you work so hard for that guild? It's just a game and you don't need the headache!" I have thought about this for years, seriously quite a bit of time I have spent on these statements. Why am i doing this? Why is the guild so important and why do I punish myself with the drama and the stress.
As I said before one of my best friends started playing the game at the same time and started Wayward Enforcers together. Through all the blood sweat and tears of playing a game, you find yourself actually connecting with people in a way, much like networking lets you meet people. It is networking on a social level, where you actually learn to like and become friends with people.
Do you know how many couples and families play WoW? In our guild alone i know of over 10 couples or families. We have virtually a real life complete family in our guild that includes mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters. This can create drama in its own right (more on this another time) but for the most part a strong guild can actually use friends and family to solidify itself.
Being a part of anything great, you tend to take it personal. These are real people who have real emotions. Sometimes they get out of control, as a leader you have to reel them back in. Sometimes you have to deal with people a lot younger then you, who have had to deal with some insane real life issues. Do you want to involve yourself in something that really isn't your business? We also have older members who, let us just say they are set in their ways. It can be difficult when trying to understand their concerns, especially if they aren't willing to bend. While you have to keep certain things separate, as a real living breathing human it is hard to keep everything "professional"
Therein lies the challenge as a Guild leader and as a friend.
Here are a few suggestions on how to survive and thrive as a Guild leader
1. Get involved at YOUR comfort level.
Many people want you to solve all their problems, both in the game and at home. Depending on your comfort level with this individual, you can either help them solve it or not. What I usually do, for those i don't know well, is be consistent. You don't want to spend all your time in game solving other peoples real life issues. Keep an arms length while still being compassionate, if you don't, then honestly you will spend your whole time in the game dealing with peoples issues. Set aside 10 - 15 minutes every other day to address peoples concerns and issues, any more then that and you are not going to be able to enjoy the game.
2. Do not try to fix everyone's problems. If you could do that you should be paid, and since is a game you are not. If the person wants in raids, talk to your raid leader. If the person wants class advice (if its your class, help them) if its not, then direct them to your class leader. If the person wants to know how many feathers are in a pound of feathers, tell them "a pound". Be sensible on what you can tackle and not, or you will find that all you do is fix things. find ways for them to solve them for themselves. An easy example is: Johnnypewpew wants to know why he is low on dps. I would delegate and direct. Use your officers and class leaders and always know where google is. Point them to who and where the most important information is.
3. Use your support system. When a big problem occurs that you really need to fix, call in your peeps. In my guild we have an amazing support system, probably why we are successful and are relatively drama free. The Officers and Senior Veterans we have in the guild don't agree on everything, yet they believe in the guild, this is what makes us a success. Although the final decisions are mine, I never ever make a big decision without their input. This not only makes things easier on you, it makes them feel valuable, which they are.
4. Understand the level of an issue. Sometimes the best way to sort out an issue is just by talking to the people. Ventrillo is an awesome way to help defuse drama. Reading a persons typed out messages may get the point across, but hearing them speak you can sometimes find out a lot more about the issue. Here is a great PDF on Tones of Voice http://www.impactcommunicationsinc.com/pdf/nwsltr_2001/ICINwsltrph0106.pdf
5. Compromise. Oh sure its easy... but there is a fine line between being run over and being stubborn. Use your common sense but always, always think whats best for the guild. Give in if you must, but make sure that the person knows the balance to your actions and the repercussions of your decisions. A good guildie will know when you are doing something nice for them, a bad guildie will not care. Sometimes you have to see that in advance and make decisions accordingly.
Hope this helps.. until next time...
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Happy Father's Day dad
Its been a year now.. and of course I think of you. You never really seem to really miss someone until you cant talk to them and I miss you. You never ever think of one of our parents passing until it happens and even then it's almost surreal. Why my dad? why you? You always see things happen from the outside, like your protected and this is millions of miles away from you. Like the Tsunami in Thailand, or the collapsed bridge in India. Those are events that affect hundreds and thousands of people, and yet, your death is really all i can think about. I'ts been hard on everyone but most of all Nancy and Reanna. They lived for you... and now will have to continue with you gone. I don't let it show much on the outside but i ache all the time.
I wish I could have talked to you a million times more then I did, i wish we would have visited each other and shared each others lives more. I barely knew you and your wife, i barely know your favorite things, except you hated eggs and that you taught me that the Minnesota Vikings are the only football team worth a damn. I don't know the last three places you lived but seeing your house last year made me remember what you were about. Your books and your self help literature. Your weights of different sizes and the funny yet cutting comments you wrote in notes around your house. Everything there teleported me back to 13 when we lived in Texas, made me wish that I had the last 20 years back just to hear you talk again, to hear you laugh, and even to hear you talk shit about mom. I heard the message you left on my phone a while ago about how you got back from your trip and that you weren't feeling very well, and how you laughed it off as if it was nothing. I wish it was nothing. I wish I could have been able to do s0mething... even more so i wish the doctors could have.
You were so damn stubborn! Forever you were stubborn and that's part of why we didn't communicate much for many years. You were the parent, why didn't you act like one. Why did I have to be the bigger person. And when I wasn't , why didn't you let that go? You were stubborn about not wanting to stay in one place too long, stubborn about working, yet you kept doing it. You were stubborn about our responsibilities, but I got used to that. I think your stubbornness is why you are not here today. I know that you were hurting, but you were too strong to let it take you to the doctors. You were so full of pride and afraid of embarrassment that you ignored the pain so long. Why couldn't you have just gone earlier... But that is you.. strong and stubborn til the end. I wish i had know, i would have dragged you damn ass to the doctors long ago...
I know why we didn't keep in contact over the years as best as we could have. We never really had arguments, but we were never close. We each had our petty differences and I know I held grudges just like you. I think we allowed ourselves to get comfortable with distance. In that distance we knew we cared about each other. It was visible in your book, in my writings, and in both of our prayers. Don't think I took that lightly when i read that, It was the first real affirmation that your shell cracked and you let someone in.
Where do you think we would be if you lived, i mean we were making progress in the past few years. I would like to think that we would have been closer. That we could have shared my dreams and your past. I cannot say as if it would have been, but its what i want. Now its too late, and now it seems I think of you ever day. I think of your funny laugh and your insane sense of humor. I think of your sinister sinister behavior and of your unending knowledge. I think of how you once ran after kids that were picking on Shelley and how you made me ride in the bed of a truck to Colorado. I think of the drive to Galveston to see the jellyfish and the sandwiches made of roast beef on onion rolls. Most of all i think of you propped up in your hospital bed a hundred pounds lighter then you should be. Your face gaunt and pale. Your eyes still full of energy darting around, but unable to move. I wish I could have taken your pain but i know i couldn't. I most of all wish i stayed there to see you off. I missed it by one day and that was all it took. I am thankful i said good bye and I had all the faith in the world that you would be ok, i mean your my dad.. you couldn't die. And as long as i live, you never will.. you will live on in my thoughts every day and I'm just fine with that.
I hope I have made you proud in everything I've done. I've tried to live my life the way you and mom would have wanted me. I have a lot to learn but I have remember some of the things I learned from you. Thank you for giving me a chance by adopting me That weighs on me quite a bit. Everyday i am grateful for being here. Thank you so much.
I love you dad. Happy Fathers Day.
Mark
I wish I could have talked to you a million times more then I did, i wish we would have visited each other and shared each others lives more. I barely knew you and your wife, i barely know your favorite things, except you hated eggs and that you taught me that the Minnesota Vikings are the only football team worth a damn. I don't know the last three places you lived but seeing your house last year made me remember what you were about. Your books and your self help literature. Your weights of different sizes and the funny yet cutting comments you wrote in notes around your house. Everything there teleported me back to 13 when we lived in Texas, made me wish that I had the last 20 years back just to hear you talk again, to hear you laugh, and even to hear you talk shit about mom. I heard the message you left on my phone a while ago about how you got back from your trip and that you weren't feeling very well, and how you laughed it off as if it was nothing. I wish it was nothing. I wish I could have been able to do s0mething... even more so i wish the doctors could have.
You were so damn stubborn! Forever you were stubborn and that's part of why we didn't communicate much for many years. You were the parent, why didn't you act like one. Why did I have to be the bigger person. And when I wasn't , why didn't you let that go? You were stubborn about not wanting to stay in one place too long, stubborn about working, yet you kept doing it. You were stubborn about our responsibilities, but I got used to that. I think your stubbornness is why you are not here today. I know that you were hurting, but you were too strong to let it take you to the doctors. You were so full of pride and afraid of embarrassment that you ignored the pain so long. Why couldn't you have just gone earlier... But that is you.. strong and stubborn til the end. I wish i had know, i would have dragged you damn ass to the doctors long ago...
I know why we didn't keep in contact over the years as best as we could have. We never really had arguments, but we were never close. We each had our petty differences and I know I held grudges just like you. I think we allowed ourselves to get comfortable with distance. In that distance we knew we cared about each other. It was visible in your book, in my writings, and in both of our prayers. Don't think I took that lightly when i read that, It was the first real affirmation that your shell cracked and you let someone in.
Where do you think we would be if you lived, i mean we were making progress in the past few years. I would like to think that we would have been closer. That we could have shared my dreams and your past. I cannot say as if it would have been, but its what i want. Now its too late, and now it seems I think of you ever day. I think of your funny laugh and your insane sense of humor. I think of your sinister sinister behavior and of your unending knowledge. I think of how you once ran after kids that were picking on Shelley and how you made me ride in the bed of a truck to Colorado. I think of the drive to Galveston to see the jellyfish and the sandwiches made of roast beef on onion rolls. Most of all i think of you propped up in your hospital bed a hundred pounds lighter then you should be. Your face gaunt and pale. Your eyes still full of energy darting around, but unable to move. I wish I could have taken your pain but i know i couldn't. I most of all wish i stayed there to see you off. I missed it by one day and that was all it took. I am thankful i said good bye and I had all the faith in the world that you would be ok, i mean your my dad.. you couldn't die. And as long as i live, you never will.. you will live on in my thoughts every day and I'm just fine with that.
I hope I have made you proud in everything I've done. I've tried to live my life the way you and mom would have wanted me. I have a lot to learn but I have remember some of the things I learned from you. Thank you for giving me a chance by adopting me That weighs on me quite a bit. Everyday i am grateful for being here. Thank you so much.
I love you dad. Happy Fathers Day.
Mark
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Sucess and the drama that ensues
Have you ever wanted something really badly? Like to the point of where you would honestly chop off part of your body to get it? Clearly, wanting something like that is a dream and most likely wont come true. Well what if you got it? What if your hopes and desire came true and you end up standing on the mountain top with your flag planted squarely at the peak? Then what? Where do you go from there, or rather, what is the "letdown?"
I always dream of winning the Powerball. What i would buy my friends and the house i would finally buy my mother. Of all the places I would go and things I would purchase. I always wanted a brand new vehicle, I've never had one to my own. I would want a large wooden lodge in the mountains with an OC48 streaming in.. hahaha (nerd talking), oh.. and a Best Buy next door. After a while I think, what happens next? What happens when my friends have to go back to work, and I've paid for all the things I wanted? What will motivate me then?
Playing Warcraft is kinda like that. You skill up, and gear up, and run instances and raids over and over to get that ultimate goal. To beat the end boss and get the Tier piece that has eluded you for so long. You fight and wipe and wipe and wipe with 25 other people until you are sick of running back and paying for repairs. But you want so badly to win. The planning, and the organization, and the different attitudes and play styles all have to come together. And then you spend weeks that turn into months throwing yourselves at these Raid bosses, getting better each time. Each person feeling a bit overwhelmed but we get better, and better. And finally SUCCESS! We came together that one try and everything came together and we stood above the body of the fallen boss, taking pictures and laughing and /cheering. The loot, stuff we have never seen before, gets passed out and the winners (you can tell) have this HUGE grin on their faces. And the congratulations from the others and the guildies not in the raid is so positive and genuinely excited.... and then the drama starts.
Now before I go on about how I despise drama (which you will know from my other blogs), I will admit there are things that a leadership group have to look at even when we succeed. We have to look at what works and what doesn't. Who needs help and who is really struggling. That is a leaderships responsibility, but... does it have to be dramatic? Does drama have to spread like wildfire and suffocate like a plastic bag? I truly believe that some people revel in drama, as if they aren't happy if there is none. I want nothing more then to squash it, and I always try immediately.
Recently, my guild has beaten a really tough boss. While there is about 10 seconds of jubilation, there was an aire of self righteousness. Like we should have done that hours ago or weeks ago. From our leadership group there was very little "attaboys" or positive reinforcement. While i know that as a GUILD LEADER I am responsible for the guilds overall health. The raid leaders are a bit gruff as, I think, most are as due to all the responsibility they have on themselves. However, there are about 10 Seniors and Officers in the raid and yet it seems there is very little positive feedback. I actually don't mind the minimal praise, because I can fill that... and I do. The issues I see are when i hear what comes next, both from Raiders and some of my Guild Leaders.
After a few minutes I hear a lot of the following:
1. We are letting too many under geared people in.
2. Why are were we wiping on easy bosses (um.. we never beat it before)
3. People actually calling out others about being low in dps, or geared
4. Why aren't we doing another 25 man day we need to finish Ulduar
5. I want to run 25 man Naxx, but not come to Ulduar
6. Our Gear system sucks, I hate it...
7. That person is hardly ever here, why does he/she have priority?
8. These AFK's are killing me (i happen to agree with this one)
I donno, I guess where I came from, every victorious battle should be celebrated. I don't mean battles we have won 100 times (like kara or naxx), but this is Ulduar, we are 4 steps away from current end game. Why aren't we getting naked and partying?? jk.. haha... Seriously, I don't see why we don't bask in the glow a little more. Why we aren't satisfied with amazing job we did to beat that boss. I'm apparently not one of those Guild Leaders that has to beat every boss now... We are a casual guild that raids, very well i might add. We have a lot of other things going on and some of our raiders tend to get in the Raiding Tunnel visions. We have in fact lost many guildies in the past to "hard core" raid guilds. The core however remain and we get people all the time that love our style. I think that has to be our focus, staying grounded and understanding who we are. We will beat those end bosses, hopefully before any nerf makes it so anyone can.
Now how to deal with the drama. I think for all you up and coming Guild Leaders out there, you have to do one thing above all else. Listen. Yeah sounds easy, but when you got 361 guildies all wanting your ear it's not always easy to filter things out. It also takes time, which we all have so precious little of. Remember, I have to get up in the morning to go to work. But finding time and listening to your guildies no matter the size of the issue, will make your people want to keep going, to fight and to participate, more then any promise for gear or gold. People want to feel that they are wanted and respected.
Treat them with respect and sit there and listen... even if they are talking about something so trivial you honestly could care less about, but it's important to them. Make it important to you. They will not only go to war with you, they will do things that might not for anyone else. They may also take responsibility for something that you just don't have time for. A perfect example is our Lottery. A longtime friend who joined the guild about a year ago, came to me telling me his views and opinions on the guild and the game. He told me what was bothering him and what he would do if he was able to. Well, I made him an officer, and he now takes care of (very well i might add) multiple things that I'd be hard pressed to do myself. Give people an outlet.. give them a goal and a voice. More times then not they wont let you down.
Get people involved. When a person comes to me complaining about one thing or another, I tell them, "What are you doing about it, or what should we as a guild do?" Make them come up with solutions and not just complaints. Every problem has a fix, don't try to necessarily fix it for them... let them fix it, just push them in the right direction. I also have to be leader enough to make tough decisions when the time comes.
Be supportive. If someone knows that they are not pulling their weight give them options, but most of all be positive on what they can do. If they are taking their time to come to you for help, honor them by giving them an outlet and also some ways to improved. Some people are just lazy, you have to try to motivate them, but don't expend too much energy. This is a game.. remember that.
All in all, you cannot make everyone happy, but you can try. Do what is best for your own health and have fun. Your guild will respect you for it.
I always dream of winning the Powerball. What i would buy my friends and the house i would finally buy my mother. Of all the places I would go and things I would purchase. I always wanted a brand new vehicle, I've never had one to my own. I would want a large wooden lodge in the mountains with an OC48 streaming in.. hahaha (nerd talking), oh.. and a Best Buy next door. After a while I think, what happens next? What happens when my friends have to go back to work, and I've paid for all the things I wanted? What will motivate me then?
Playing Warcraft is kinda like that. You skill up, and gear up, and run instances and raids over and over to get that ultimate goal. To beat the end boss and get the Tier piece that has eluded you for so long. You fight and wipe and wipe and wipe with 25 other people until you are sick of running back and paying for repairs. But you want so badly to win. The planning, and the organization, and the different attitudes and play styles all have to come together. And then you spend weeks that turn into months throwing yourselves at these Raid bosses, getting better each time. Each person feeling a bit overwhelmed but we get better, and better. And finally SUCCESS! We came together that one try and everything came together and we stood above the body of the fallen boss, taking pictures and laughing and /cheering. The loot, stuff we have never seen before, gets passed out and the winners (you can tell) have this HUGE grin on their faces. And the congratulations from the others and the guildies not in the raid is so positive and genuinely excited.... and then the drama starts.
Now before I go on about how I despise drama (which you will know from my other blogs), I will admit there are things that a leadership group have to look at even when we succeed. We have to look at what works and what doesn't. Who needs help and who is really struggling. That is a leaderships responsibility, but... does it have to be dramatic? Does drama have to spread like wildfire and suffocate like a plastic bag? I truly believe that some people revel in drama, as if they aren't happy if there is none. I want nothing more then to squash it, and I always try immediately.
Recently, my guild has beaten a really tough boss. While there is about 10 seconds of jubilation, there was an aire of self righteousness. Like we should have done that hours ago or weeks ago. From our leadership group there was very little "attaboys" or positive reinforcement. While i know that as a GUILD LEADER I am responsible for the guilds overall health. The raid leaders are a bit gruff as, I think, most are as due to all the responsibility they have on themselves. However, there are about 10 Seniors and Officers in the raid and yet it seems there is very little positive feedback. I actually don't mind the minimal praise, because I can fill that... and I do. The issues I see are when i hear what comes next, both from Raiders and some of my Guild Leaders.
After a few minutes I hear a lot of the following:
1. We are letting too many under geared people in.
2. Why are were we wiping on easy bosses (um.. we never beat it before)
3. People actually calling out others about being low in dps, or geared
4. Why aren't we doing another 25 man day we need to finish Ulduar
5. I want to run 25 man Naxx, but not come to Ulduar
6. Our Gear system sucks, I hate it...
7. That person is hardly ever here, why does he/she have priority?
8. These AFK's are killing me (i happen to agree with this one)
I donno, I guess where I came from, every victorious battle should be celebrated. I don't mean battles we have won 100 times (like kara or naxx), but this is Ulduar, we are 4 steps away from current end game. Why aren't we getting naked and partying?? jk.. haha... Seriously, I don't see why we don't bask in the glow a little more. Why we aren't satisfied with amazing job we did to beat that boss. I'm apparently not one of those Guild Leaders that has to beat every boss now... We are a casual guild that raids, very well i might add. We have a lot of other things going on and some of our raiders tend to get in the Raiding Tunnel visions. We have in fact lost many guildies in the past to "hard core" raid guilds. The core however remain and we get people all the time that love our style. I think that has to be our focus, staying grounded and understanding who we are. We will beat those end bosses, hopefully before any nerf makes it so anyone can.
Now how to deal with the drama. I think for all you up and coming Guild Leaders out there, you have to do one thing above all else. Listen. Yeah sounds easy, but when you got 361 guildies all wanting your ear it's not always easy to filter things out. It also takes time, which we all have so precious little of. Remember, I have to get up in the morning to go to work. But finding time and listening to your guildies no matter the size of the issue, will make your people want to keep going, to fight and to participate, more then any promise for gear or gold. People want to feel that they are wanted and respected.
Treat them with respect and sit there and listen... even if they are talking about something so trivial you honestly could care less about, but it's important to them. Make it important to you. They will not only go to war with you, they will do things that might not for anyone else. They may also take responsibility for something that you just don't have time for. A perfect example is our Lottery. A longtime friend who joined the guild about a year ago, came to me telling me his views and opinions on the guild and the game. He told me what was bothering him and what he would do if he was able to. Well, I made him an officer, and he now takes care of (very well i might add) multiple things that I'd be hard pressed to do myself. Give people an outlet.. give them a goal and a voice. More times then not they wont let you down.
Get people involved. When a person comes to me complaining about one thing or another, I tell them, "What are you doing about it, or what should we as a guild do?" Make them come up with solutions and not just complaints. Every problem has a fix, don't try to necessarily fix it for them... let them fix it, just push them in the right direction. I also have to be leader enough to make tough decisions when the time comes.
Be supportive. If someone knows that they are not pulling their weight give them options, but most of all be positive on what they can do. If they are taking their time to come to you for help, honor them by giving them an outlet and also some ways to improved. Some people are just lazy, you have to try to motivate them, but don't expend too much energy. This is a game.. remember that.
All in all, you cannot make everyone happy, but you can try. Do what is best for your own health and have fun. Your guild will respect you for it.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Raiding and Running a guild
So you think you can run a guild huh? You think you can control hundreds of people and convince them to coexist happily in a family atmosphere while at the same time raiding? Hahahaha if you have and if you can run this type of guild you know exactly what i feel every single day... I've been told for years that you cannot have a casual raiding guild get very far. I have scoffed at that notion but I do see the challenges that you have to face if you decide to be that type of guild. You must have dedication, skill and experience to complete some of the harder instances in the game. Having a guild that doesn't hardcore raid you have a mix of some people that want to raid, when they feel like it, and some that are there EVERY day ready to raid. You have some people that want to be social and joke around, and some that are hardnose and wanting only to get loot or beat the end boss. How do you balance this into a cohesive unit that one day can kill Hodir, and the next have a party on top of Ironforge.
My guild, Wayward Enforcers, has a roster of over 300 people. Granted there are a number of alts within the guild but there are so many different people, each with their own personalities, background, history and playing style. Each pays his or her money in order to play a game, so they each get satisfaction in their own way. Saying this as a Guild Leader I have surrounded myself with a mix of eclectic individuals that help me run the guild. I could not, nor would i try, to run this guild myself. It is much to big and there are so many pieces that if i tried, i'd drive myself insane instantly.
Delegation and trust in your leadership group is a must. Wayward Enforcers has Officers, Treasurers, Senior Veterans, Class Leaders, Raid Leaders, Fun event leaders, Website admins, Email admins, Twink/BG leaders, EPGP managers, 6 different 10 man team leaders, Lotto managers, and multiple advisors. While that seems like A LOT, it is all done by about 10 people all doing multiple "jobs". For instance my Treasurer is also an officer, a class leader, website admin and EPGP manager. These people not only allow me to stay sane, but also give me opportunity to do other things then lead.
As a guild leader you have to know how to do a number of things. If you want a successful and powerful guild you have to have a number of the things I'll list below.
Motivation: How do you motive people that want to do things their own way? Wow if you master this, then you probably own or run a large business and are very successful. I find that some of the same methods of motivation that work in the business world work for a guild where the only thing you get out of working your ass off is guild progress and morale. The number one thing you can do to motivate guildies is Positive Thoughts. Being positive in the face any adversity as a leadership group is paramount. Luckily, I have that type of personality at time. But i must admit it gets trying to the point of frustration. The rewards from Positive thoughts, even after wipe and wipe, really keep your people pushing forward. Our guild has a weird thing that we can wipe all day, but when we call last attempt, we really get awesome results.
A few other awesome Motivational tools are: Success, Giving your guildies a sense of belonging and importance, being clear on my intentions for people, and just having fun!
Friends: When you play a game you want to do it with friends. One of my best friends in real life started this game with me. We actually created Wayward Enforcers with a few in game friends we met. Every time we met or ran with some people we thought were cool we invited them to the guild. Over time those were most the people I ran with, because i knew i could count on them to do a particular task. If i needed a priest, Sainta was awesome and professional. If i needed a frost trap Galaran was there and wouldn't let you down. These in game relationships, to me, turned in to real life people that I could communicate with outside the game. My friend who started the guild with me eventually quit as he thought the game was too Gear Oriented (have to get gear to have fun), but we still play HALO every week (another blog topic!) So i kept pushing forward with the guild, assigning leaders and people that i knew would help get our guild to the promised land: Progression and Raiding. Over the years some of the friends i have met in game i have met in real life, not many mind you, and some that i have not met, I really don't see playing this game without them. To me, I think without the friends, I wouldn't be playing.
Raiding: In a guild that is a casual raiding guild, Wayward Enforcers is still ranked 24th on our server. Aerie Peak is one of the largest servers that run WoW and to be ranked that high when we only raid 25 man runs twice a week is pretty amazing. There have been times when some guildies wanted more, so they left to a "hardcore" raiding guild. Most of the time they ask to come back as most "hardcore" raiding guilds want nothing to do with you unless its raid day, and even that they may or may not care much for you. But quickly, for those that left and have found it greener on the other pasture, i wish you well... You are paying real money, so do with it as you please. I have to worry about the people that are still here, and want to be here. These are the people that i have to find ways to make happy. I think that the best way is to make sure that when we do raid, we do it right. I have two main raid leaders whom I have entrusted the meat of our raids to and they have not let me down. While the other guild leaders have a large say in what we do and how we do it, the raid leaders communicate with me and then push through with their plans. The people that want to raid are there, we do not penalize for not signing up, but if you sign up.. you better bet there. This type of raiding can and has lead to some people just blowing raids off, and this is where we have issues. But success in raiding makes it worth it, and we have done quite well.
Responsibility and Respect: As WE are not in the top 10 on the server, we haven't done any world or server firsts, we haven't cleared Ulduar or even seen Mimron on 25 man yet, but what we have done and who we are as a guild is respected through out the Server. When people speak of our server I have only heard good things. The main thing i tell a guildie when he/she joins or in meetings is to have fun and do what you want, but.. when you are running with people outside the guild, or you are in trade chat or whatever... you represent yourself as a member of our guild. If you act like a dick, that makes the guild look like a dick. If you help people, they will remember you and your guild. I have had lots of kudos given to guildies by other guild leaders and that makes me want to keep going. It is my responsibility to make sure the guildies are doing what they should and its their responsibility to represent Wayward Enforcers in the best light possible. This has worked out so well, its almost easy.
You will notice that i tend to ramble. I wanted to hit a few key points but I will stop after the next one.
The biggest thing I see out of all the 100's of things that go on in a guild is drama. Lord i hate drama, and people can create drama out of NOTHING. It taxes me to no end, and some people even like drama. As if it is their gift to create and spread drama. Dealing with this is probably the key to a successful and happy guild. The best way to deal with drama is communication. Talk to whoever is creating drama and whoever is pushing back on that drama. Communicate in a way that both sides don't feel attacked and let your leaders know what is going on. Some drama you cannot fix, that could lead to /gquits or /ignores. We have a 24 hr rule that if a person /gquits they have 24 hrs to rejoin with no questions asked. This gives people time to chill out and relax.
I think the most underused skill of dealing with guild drama or even your own internal game drama is talking to your friends. I cant tell you how many times just talking about your issues with a trusted guildie will not only resolve your issue, but make you feel that much better about the game. It has saved me from having to take an extended break or even quitting. Thanks you all, you know who you are.
Ok.. as I have rambled on i wonder how many people have completed reading this. Tell me what you think. Add your own opinions.. make it count.
My guild, Wayward Enforcers, has a roster of over 300 people. Granted there are a number of alts within the guild but there are so many different people, each with their own personalities, background, history and playing style. Each pays his or her money in order to play a game, so they each get satisfaction in their own way. Saying this as a Guild Leader I have surrounded myself with a mix of eclectic individuals that help me run the guild. I could not, nor would i try, to run this guild myself. It is much to big and there are so many pieces that if i tried, i'd drive myself insane instantly.
Delegation and trust in your leadership group is a must. Wayward Enforcers has Officers, Treasurers, Senior Veterans, Class Leaders, Raid Leaders, Fun event leaders, Website admins, Email admins, Twink/BG leaders, EPGP managers, 6 different 10 man team leaders, Lotto managers, and multiple advisors. While that seems like A LOT, it is all done by about 10 people all doing multiple "jobs". For instance my Treasurer is also an officer, a class leader, website admin and EPGP manager. These people not only allow me to stay sane, but also give me opportunity to do other things then lead.
As a guild leader you have to know how to do a number of things. If you want a successful and powerful guild you have to have a number of the things I'll list below.
Motivation: How do you motive people that want to do things their own way? Wow if you master this, then you probably own or run a large business and are very successful. I find that some of the same methods of motivation that work in the business world work for a guild where the only thing you get out of working your ass off is guild progress and morale. The number one thing you can do to motivate guildies is Positive Thoughts. Being positive in the face any adversity as a leadership group is paramount. Luckily, I have that type of personality at time. But i must admit it gets trying to the point of frustration. The rewards from Positive thoughts, even after wipe and wipe, really keep your people pushing forward. Our guild has a weird thing that we can wipe all day, but when we call last attempt, we really get awesome results.
A few other awesome Motivational tools are: Success, Giving your guildies a sense of belonging and importance, being clear on my intentions for people, and just having fun!
Friends: When you play a game you want to do it with friends. One of my best friends in real life started this game with me. We actually created Wayward Enforcers with a few in game friends we met. Every time we met or ran with some people we thought were cool we invited them to the guild. Over time those were most the people I ran with, because i knew i could count on them to do a particular task. If i needed a priest, Sainta was awesome and professional. If i needed a frost trap Galaran was there and wouldn't let you down. These in game relationships, to me, turned in to real life people that I could communicate with outside the game. My friend who started the guild with me eventually quit as he thought the game was too Gear Oriented (have to get gear to have fun), but we still play HALO every week (another blog topic!) So i kept pushing forward with the guild, assigning leaders and people that i knew would help get our guild to the promised land: Progression and Raiding. Over the years some of the friends i have met in game i have met in real life, not many mind you, and some that i have not met, I really don't see playing this game without them. To me, I think without the friends, I wouldn't be playing.
Raiding: In a guild that is a casual raiding guild, Wayward Enforcers is still ranked 24th on our server. Aerie Peak is one of the largest servers that run WoW and to be ranked that high when we only raid 25 man runs twice a week is pretty amazing. There have been times when some guildies wanted more, so they left to a "hardcore" raiding guild. Most of the time they ask to come back as most "hardcore" raiding guilds want nothing to do with you unless its raid day, and even that they may or may not care much for you. But quickly, for those that left and have found it greener on the other pasture, i wish you well... You are paying real money, so do with it as you please. I have to worry about the people that are still here, and want to be here. These are the people that i have to find ways to make happy. I think that the best way is to make sure that when we do raid, we do it right. I have two main raid leaders whom I have entrusted the meat of our raids to and they have not let me down. While the other guild leaders have a large say in what we do and how we do it, the raid leaders communicate with me and then push through with their plans. The people that want to raid are there, we do not penalize for not signing up, but if you sign up.. you better bet there. This type of raiding can and has lead to some people just blowing raids off, and this is where we have issues. But success in raiding makes it worth it, and we have done quite well.
Responsibility and Respect: As WE are not in the top 10 on the server, we haven't done any world or server firsts, we haven't cleared Ulduar or even seen Mimron on 25 man yet, but what we have done and who we are as a guild is respected through out the Server. When people speak of our server I have only heard good things. The main thing i tell a guildie when he/she joins or in meetings is to have fun and do what you want, but.. when you are running with people outside the guild, or you are in trade chat or whatever... you represent yourself as a member of our guild. If you act like a dick, that makes the guild look like a dick. If you help people, they will remember you and your guild. I have had lots of kudos given to guildies by other guild leaders and that makes me want to keep going. It is my responsibility to make sure the guildies are doing what they should and its their responsibility to represent Wayward Enforcers in the best light possible. This has worked out so well, its almost easy.
You will notice that i tend to ramble. I wanted to hit a few key points but I will stop after the next one.
The biggest thing I see out of all the 100's of things that go on in a guild is drama. Lord i hate drama, and people can create drama out of NOTHING. It taxes me to no end, and some people even like drama. As if it is their gift to create and spread drama. Dealing with this is probably the key to a successful and happy guild. The best way to deal with drama is communication. Talk to whoever is creating drama and whoever is pushing back on that drama. Communicate in a way that both sides don't feel attacked and let your leaders know what is going on. Some drama you cannot fix, that could lead to /gquits or /ignores. We have a 24 hr rule that if a person /gquits they have 24 hrs to rejoin with no questions asked. This gives people time to chill out and relax.
I think the most underused skill of dealing with guild drama or even your own internal game drama is talking to your friends. I cant tell you how many times just talking about your issues with a trusted guildie will not only resolve your issue, but make you feel that much better about the game. It has saved me from having to take an extended break or even quitting. Thanks you all, you know who you are.
Ok.. as I have rambled on i wonder how many people have completed reading this. Tell me what you think. Add your own opinions.. make it count.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
First blog ever...
Hello all, I am Sengoret... or Mark to those that know me. I am a moderately happy 35 year old male living in Aurora, Colorado. I am currently single and live by myself. I have a job that I've been at for over 9 years. I am a software engineer but I'm more of a troubleshooter and fixer. I have amazing friends that I don't spend as much time with because they all have families now. I broke up with my girlfriend a year ago and haven't really put myself out there. In other words, I don't drink and meeting new people is tough. I'll talk about that another time.
I'm starting this blog as an outlet and a way to share thoughts and things that are going on with my life. Perhaps no one will read these, but maybe some will. That would be cool to share and get stuff off my chest that I may not normally express. Either way if you read this, I hope you enjoy it and If you want to share, please do. This will not be all about gaming, guild, and nerd stuff, but also about me and what im about.. my secret life away from Warcraft.
The title of my blog comes from a game that i have been playing for 4 years. The game of course is World of Warcraft. "World of warcrack", "world of drain your life", pick your favorite name, but if you like video games and tried Warcraft, you would get the appeal instantly. The game is so in depth and detailed that just installing and looking at the scenery is amazing. When I first logged in i saw things I never saw before in a video game. Little things like a rabbit hopping by minding its own business AND I can kill it. now thats a game.
Anyway, If you know anything about Warcraft or RPG's you will know what a guild is. Well, I have only been in one guild ever and that is my own. I am the Guild Master of Wayward enforcers (wayward-enforcers.com) My IRL (in real life) friend Mike and I started this guild over 3 years ago just because we wanted to be able to communciate and help each other out. Not that it was hard but we get a cool "tabard" and a cool name. He picked the tabard and I picked the name. Wayward Enforcers was born! It's amazing to see where the guild was to where we started. We didnt know 10 people on the server let alone ask random people to join (you have to have 10 to start a guild) and now we have over 360 members. Being the Guild Master I am the leader. This has not been easy with work, family, friends, dishes and laundry to do.
Through the years many many many people have come in and out through the guild. I have seem good players, great players and horrible players. I have seen young and old of both genders and find that most people are inherently good. I have run into people that I actually find dispicable and wouldn't want them near my family. But most of all, I believe I have truly found real, honest to goodness friends. People I would actually meet in real life and hang out. I have found that you can develop relationships on many levels with people in the game, where you can actually trust. Being a Guild Master you actually have to put some amount of trust in people.
I find playing this game as a very interesting study in social behavior as we will see in future blogs. I want to use my unique brand of humor (um what?) to make this as interesting as possible. Please if you have anything you wanna talk about, or want me to, let me know
Be well and don't stand in shit!
I'm starting this blog as an outlet and a way to share thoughts and things that are going on with my life. Perhaps no one will read these, but maybe some will. That would be cool to share and get stuff off my chest that I may not normally express. Either way if you read this, I hope you enjoy it and If you want to share, please do. This will not be all about gaming, guild, and nerd stuff, but also about me and what im about.. my secret life away from Warcraft.
The title of my blog comes from a game that i have been playing for 4 years. The game of course is World of Warcraft. "World of warcrack", "world of drain your life", pick your favorite name, but if you like video games and tried Warcraft, you would get the appeal instantly. The game is so in depth and detailed that just installing and looking at the scenery is amazing. When I first logged in i saw things I never saw before in a video game. Little things like a rabbit hopping by minding its own business AND I can kill it. now thats a game.
Anyway, If you know anything about Warcraft or RPG's you will know what a guild is. Well, I have only been in one guild ever and that is my own. I am the Guild Master of Wayward enforcers (wayward-enforcers.com) My IRL (in real life) friend Mike and I started this guild over 3 years ago just because we wanted to be able to communciate and help each other out. Not that it was hard but we get a cool "tabard" and a cool name. He picked the tabard and I picked the name. Wayward Enforcers was born! It's amazing to see where the guild was to where we started. We didnt know 10 people on the server let alone ask random people to join (you have to have 10 to start a guild) and now we have over 360 members. Being the Guild Master I am the leader. This has not been easy with work, family, friends, dishes and laundry to do.
Through the years many many many people have come in and out through the guild. I have seem good players, great players and horrible players. I have seen young and old of both genders and find that most people are inherently good. I have run into people that I actually find dispicable and wouldn't want them near my family. But most of all, I believe I have truly found real, honest to goodness friends. People I would actually meet in real life and hang out. I have found that you can develop relationships on many levels with people in the game, where you can actually trust. Being a Guild Master you actually have to put some amount of trust in people.
I find playing this game as a very interesting study in social behavior as we will see in future blogs. I want to use my unique brand of humor (um what?) to make this as interesting as possible. Please if you have anything you wanna talk about, or want me to, let me know
Be well and don't stand in shit!
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