Recently I made a rather hard decision as a guild leader, probably the hardest I've personally ever made in that position. And that decision, upon reflection, has proven to be the only one I could have made if I wanted to stick to my principles.
I retired as leader of my guild.
Why? The most important reason is I could no longer give the guild what I felt it required, and deserved. I could no longer be a strong, present leader. Events and situations in my real life were distracting me from the day to day functions of the guild, and problems with the game itself were only adding to the distraction and sense of unease. I wasn't playing the game much, and don't see myself playing much of it in the near future. And if I wasn't playing I could no longer be there to direct the guild or deal with issues that crop up from time to time.
I could have easily just left the game, told the guild I was taking a short break from everything and was coming back later. Some guild leaders I've seen have simply vanished on their members, leaving them with no recourse and no clear leader. I didn't want to do that, and I didn't want to lie to the people I had come to respect and love so much. I knew in my own heart that the "break" was more than likely permanent, and despite the fact that I wasn't carrying the guild leader tag (an issue with RoM's Siege War) I was still the leader and I felt I had a responsibility to tell the guild the truth.
So I vacated the position and handed leadership over to the officers and let them make the decision about where to go from there, and who should be in charge. The didn't disappoint, instead of finding a new leader they elected to form a ruling council for the guild, making all major decisions by mutual agreement. I couldn't have asked for a better outcome, for while I held the end right to make all major decisions, I rarely ever did so without the input and consent of my officers.
| Pictured: not my officers |
I know I did the right thing.
But looking back on my experiences with being the guild leader I've asked myself what I did so right that the guild not only survived during my administration but thrived, becoming stronger than when I was given the guild. And what I did wrong. And I feel that I did more right than wrong, and only because I felt so strongly about the guild and about my own character (not my toon). I want to be a good person, so I try very hard to be one.
Ask anyone about leadership and they'll probably spout of some catchy phrases like "lead by example," or "lead from the front." Politicians usually claim they're leaders, though in my mind operating by political expediency isn't leading. Others may say they're leaders because they're "the best" at what they do. Personally I think being a leader is more involved than that, more personal. Being a leader means being there for those you lead, and always pushing them as well as yourself to do better and be better people. A leader doesn't automatically drop someone from an organization because they aren't doing well, but tries to find that niche that that person will excel in.
But foremost among leadership qualities I would rate the integrity and honesty to say "I am not perfect, but improving." The biggest sacrifice a leader must give is one of ego. Being a leader, one with a title, gives one a status that cannot be ignored, but for the good of the guild must be put aside. A good guild leader doesn't think of themselves as better than their guild, but a part of it, just another wheel that keeps the whole machine moving. Doing so allows the leader to accept the faults in others, and work with them.
As guild leader of TBT I did all those things books and motivational speakers and JROTC instructors tell you to do. I set the example, I lead from the front. Trying to promote unity and giving within the guild I would most often just give my old gear away to another member, upgrading them if possible. Sure my wallet took a hit (no selling means no gold) but I did it for the guild, another geared member meant more opportunities for all of us. I was the first in my guild to tier a weapon (unique to RoM, that I know of) and almost always one of the first to break into new content and instances. I maintained my composure and didn't give in in the face of something as disastrous as the guild breaking nearly in half. I would always try to calm an angry situation or find humor in troubled times, and I did my damnedest to treat each and every member of the guild with respect.
George Washington, perhaps one of the finest leaders this country has ever known, set the standard and the bar for the President so high that so many of our best have failed to live up to it. He could have been made leader for life, instead he elected to only serve as President for 8 years. He could have been called any number of things, but for him a simple Mr. President sufficed. He was in a position of great honor and prestige, and by his humble actions only improved upon it. If I could be said to be attempting to emulate anyone, Washington would be him.
So when it came down to my needs over the guild's needs, I made my ultimate sacrifice, and gave the guild to those it belonged to anyway, it's members. And while my story with TBT isn't quite done yet, I know that the little time I had with such people will be forever marked on my soul, and I couldn't be prouder of who they are, nor prouder that, for a time, I had the honor of leading them.
