Leadership - How I became a Leader for an Online Game
Greetings all, another post after not posting for awhile. I am getting close to leaving for the Air Force, but in the meantime I would like to throw a few posts out there regarding some topics and lessons I have learned in the past few years. These will be released on a semi-daily basis to cover topics and lessons, sharing my wisdom to the world. This may or may not be useful to anyone, but I do want to get it out there.
The first question is: What makes someone a Leader?
A Leader is simply a person that can influence others. One who has the ability to control and guide a group of people. To have influential power on a group means you can get things done that you otherwise could not accomplish solo.
Let’s look at how MMORPG’s (Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games) require Leaders. The end-game of these types of video games involve what are called ‘raids’: challenging dungeons or levels that require not one or two, but many people in order to complete.
With my past experience and knowledge of raiding in a MMORPG called ‘Dragon Nest’, you as the Leader need to have a vision and goal in mind for your guild mates or friends. You want to complete this raid to get everyone stronger, to have the best stuff, to feel like you accomplished something. Raids are difficult, and everyone has to have a good mindset going into one. Challenging these raids is no easy accomplishment.
To influence a group to do such a thing is only the first step as a Leader.
How is the Leader chosen?
A Leader is chosen by the people. There is never someone that just says to a group of people: “Do as I say, for I am the Leader.” Sure, there are some scenarios where that might work, but when we’re talking large influential roles (such as governors or presidents) or heavily responsible roles (guild leaders, officers, etc); one cannot simply assume them and expect to do well.
I did not become a leader of Deific, our guild in Dragon Nest, simply because I created it. We didn’t have members. No one to lead? That means you are not a leader. But I became a leader because others respected me and started seeing that what I did was good. And they joined the guild, stood by my side, and wanted to help myself, my guild, and every member in the guild prosper.
We all had a similar vision, and I was the root of what started it all.
What does the Leader accomplish?
This one has a couple parts. The leader holds everyone together. When there is no leader, others are unsure of what to do. They could designate another leader, or a co-leader. But that requires them to find qualities of a leader all over again. This complicates things. A leader makes sure things will go as planned, and has a plan to set in motion.
The leader sets goals and motivates. People are reluctant to act if there are no motives. When a leader reveals a plan and shows his/her expectations and goals, people gain confidence from this and now share the same vision. Followers want to help the leader prosper, especially when it benefits themselves as well.
The leader understands everyone and works through problems. It is only natural for conflicts to arise, even among close groups of peers. Part of a leader’s job is to make sure everyone supporting the leader will not cause dilemmas for one another. A leader needs to know everyone’s desires and wants by heart. To make the correct decisions when Person A wants certain loot over Person B. Or Person A might need higher gearing priority than Person B.
The leader must be able to think about how each person will understand a decision given, and make the best choice that would benefit all parties. Sacrifices sometimes have to be made, but a good leader can spot which course of action will lead to the best result. High positives, low negatives.
I always assess a situation step-by-step.
Analyze the Consequence of each Choice
Consider which members are affected
Choose the best option, getting others’ opinions if necessary (Such as from officers who may have a good standing and reputation.)
Decide how to broadcast this decision to each member (Such that they understand why said decision is being made.)
Transparency is pretty important here. We want to be open about how we make decisions and make sure everyone knows what is going on. If not communicated properly, there could be misunderstandings and internal problems later on, which is what you definitely do not want. So always take this process carefully to avoid any future issues that arise.
The leader is assertive, but thoughtful. This is the textbook definition of a leader that comes to most people’s minds. A leader has to carry forward and command others, communicating what needs to be done. With the reputation and following of a leader, the leader should have 100% confidence in the abilities of his people to complete a task.
Any doubts, and this doubting will spread through the group. However, there is another side to this coin as well. If others are questioning or advising you to attempt something in a different manner. You must be open, listening, and accepting of this criticism. After all, they want what is best for you, and believe there is a better way of accomplishing it.
As a leader, I want to perform my best, and be there for these people. So when they think I can improve and want the best for me, I’d better listen up and see what I can do on my part to make it the best experience for everyone.
The leader is your friend. I have the best intentions with every single person that wants to work with and for me. With that kind of bond, I want to always be the one anyone could come to if they have a problem. I want to be the one that you could come to if you wanted a friendly match in League or something like that. Someone to enjoy hanging around with. If you want to go on about your new car you just got, I’m there to listen to that too. The leader should be likable, and listening.
This is the final one here:
The Leader enables others by amplifying their strengths. This ties into earlier when I mentioned the leader motivating. There are some miniature versions of leaders in others. And the main leader attempts to make use of this by enabling them to be a Co-leader. In addition, there are those that are naturally funny. A leader wants these people to shine and make others laugh, boosting the spirit of the group.
Some might be smart and logical, and can help create tactics and strategies to beat a boss or dungeon. The leader pushes them to do that activity.
Some people even know how to invest in a marketplace, maximizing profits by buying low and selling high: Predicting what future market changes will bring for everyone.
Regardless of who it is, every single person is special, and everyone brings some kind of talent to the table. A good leader will make use of all these talents to create an even greater force. With each person, a leader’s toolbox / kit becomes more diverse, leading to more options and many more paths the group can take. Leaders set the environment for these talents to prosper and shine.
I may not be the best source for leadership advice and experience. But what I have gone through in my past has taught me many things, and why I can safely say I succeeded at doing what I didn’t even intend to do!
Leaders are not born, they are made.
Who knows, perhaps you will be leading something down the line and you don’t even realize you are going into it. I hope this helps someone out there.
