A Discussion on Leadership





You say, "Before I begin, I would like to explain a few things."

Tsule turns an inquisitive ear towards you.

Yaldin turns an inquisitive ear towards you.

Tsule takes a drink from her vanilla coffee.

You say, "I more than welcome everyone to enter into a discussion if they wish, but if not, some or even all of you are welcome just to sit back and relax."

Balantine leans back.

Asrak nods to Yaldin.

Tsule rests her hands on her knees and breathes deep to relax.

Asrak sits down.

You say, "On a different note, let me preface this by saying that much of what I am going to share with you is simple common sense. I do not intend this to be philosophical or esoteric, so I will keep this as practical as I can. It is my hope that others find this useful."

Tsule smiles at you.

Yaldin nods to Asrak.

You say, "And since I always found it best to begin with an example of something you may encounter, especially since I know several of you to be in the guild..."

Yaldin nods to you.

You say, "Imagine yourself as a guildmaster and an honorable person who cares about the guild. For most of you, that is not going to require much creativity."

You say, "Now, imagine the following situation: a Master at Arms comes to you and asks you not to help a new member with his training. Assume that you cannot ask him why. You have never dealt with this person before, and know nothing of him. This is the first time you have ever seen this Master at Arms. All you know is his rank."

Tsule frowns.

You say, "The alternate situation is much the same as the above, but the one asking you not to help is neither a Master at Arms nor even a guildmaster. He is an ordinary member in rank. However, he is a good friend of yours, and one you know to be an excellent judge of character. He has demonstrated, in the past, that he has great wisdom, keeping in mind what is best for everyone. He truly cares about the guild, and knows in-depth both the word and spirit of its codes."

Yaldin ponders.

You ask, "Anyone want to volunteer their opinion on whom he would be more likely to trust?"

Yaldin raises his hand.

Speaking to Yaldin, you say, "Go right ahead."

Yaldin nods.

Yaldin softly says, "I believe I would follow my heart and trust my friend's judgment."

Tsule raises her hand.

Yaldin softly says, "To follow blindly is a folly of the follower."

You say, "Go ahead as well, Tsule."

Speaking quietly in broken common, Tsule says, "It would not be honorable not to train someone who is interested, regardless of opinion I feel."

You nod.

You say, "Fair enough."

You say, "Though, I imagine you can still see that the request from your friend is less difficult to stomach."

Tsule nods.

Speaking quietly in broken common, Tsule says, "That must of course be considered."

You nod.

Yaldin softly says, "However, it might be prudent to get to know the trainee through training and then decide whether to help them further their goals based on that."

Tsule nods to Yaldin.

Yaldin softly says, "Rather than having to choose, there is always another option."

You say, "Indeed it would. You both have helped to illustrate something quite well, though."

You say, "The former situation was one in which the person's leadership was based solely on his position, or authority. The latter was one in which that leadership was based upon the person's knowledge, skills, relationships, deeds, and reputation. That is what I will call power. I will refer to these two concepts throughout the discussion. It is important for anyone in a position of leadership to know the difference between the two, especially considering that power is obviously far more effective than the other."

Tsule nods to you.

Yaldin nods.

You say, "And, according to both of you, power was able to provide better persuasion."

Speaking quietly in broken common, Tsule asks, "But perhaps power was guiding the other as well?"

You say, "Well, that's reading more into the situation than I described for you."

Yaldin softly says, "Authority is usually gained by those with power - though not always so."

Tsule blushes a nice shade of off-pink.

You nod to Yaldin.

Tsule nods.

Speaking to Yaldin, you ask, "What might I call you?"

Yaldin softly says, "You may call me Yaldin."

Yaldin softly says, "Tis what my mother calls me."

Yaldin chuckles.

Tsule smiles at Yaldin.

You say, "What you say is correct, Yaldin."

Speaking quietly in broken common, Tsule says, "In my people, power was given to those who were respected by all, and by default."

You ask, "Power, or authority?"

Tsule ponders.

You say, "I imagine you mean that authority was given to those who already demonstrated power."

Speaking quietly in broken common, Tsule says, "Power, becuase the authority was held by the slave holders."

Tsule ponders.

You say, "Then I believe there is a misunderstanding there."

Tsule nods.

Tsule ponders.

Yaldin softly says, "I'm sorry I must step out - I will be right back."

Yaldin stands up.

Yaldin just went out.

You say, "Unlike authority, power cannot actually be given to anyone else. You have to create it yourself."

Tsule nods to you.

Speaking quietly in broken common, Tsule says, "I think I understand."

You nod.

You say, "Simply put, authority gives you the right to do things, but power gives you the ability to do things. We are much more willing to commit ourselves to the goals and ideas of a person with power due to our beliefs about such a leader. We believe that he has prioritized the best interests of the organization of which we are part, and hence, has our own best interests at heart. We trust in him to help us to fulfill our wants and desires."

Tsule nods.

You say, "I do want to go back to what Yaldin said, about authority usually being given to those with power, though."

You say, "Certainly, it should be that way. Ideally, people are granted authority because they amass and demonstrate proper use of power. Once they are given that authority, though, that should never become the source of their power. They have to continue improving and utilizing their knowledge, skills, relationships, deeds, and reputation, without expecting to spur others on "because I'm the leader." A leader who does resort to that is an ineffective failure."

Yaldin just arrived.

Yaldin sits down.

Tsule nods.

Mikare just arrived.

Speaking quietly in broken common, Tsule says, "That makes sense."

You say, "So you see, the process cannot end there."

You say, "Now, I imagine there is a question going through several minds. No doubt, there are those asking, "Can't people with authority simply make others do what they want?" Obviously they can, but you have to question the effectiveness of the tactic. It is called coercion when you order someone to do something, and, if he does not comply with your wishes, you punish him. Punishment can come in many forms, whether it is expulsion from an order, decreased status in a house, a public scolding, exclusion, etc."

Tsule mumbles something that you don't quite catch.

You say, "The question to ask yourself is what such tactics will gain you. The answer is the bare essentials. Those you lead will, at best, do the basics of what you asked, and no more. On the other hand, if you successfully utilize your power, and people have faith in you, you gain more than simple compliance; you gain commitment. Those you lead will attempt to do the best they can for you, and may even take additional steps. They may very likely go out of their way, taking on additional responsibilities to aid you. A much better outcome, I would say."

You smile.

Yaldin softly says, "I would like to go further with that and say that those who wield authority without power, their ability to lead is doomed to failure as those who follow them will only do so until they have an option to not follow."

You say, "I think you will agree."

Yaldin nods to you.

Speaking quietly in broken common, Tsule says, "Fear is not a good tactic when it comes to leadership of people."

You say, "I would agree completely, Yaldin."

You ask, "Is anyone wondering about compensation, though?"

Tsule blinks.

Yaldin shakes his head.

Tsule shakes her head.

You smile.

You say, "Few do."

Yaldin softly says, "A good leader or follower will do their best for the group because they seek to better themselves as well as the group, not for a mundane reward."

Tsule nods to Yaldin.

Yaldin softly says, "I'm sorry I'll let you continue."

You say, "You're definitely thinking the right way."

Yaldin nods to you.

You say, "Some leaders, many of whom prefer coercion, may use material or status-based compensation as the primary motivator, promising something in return for the completion of a task. Such behavior does little to demonstrate efficiency and loyalty. For other coercive leaders, the compensation simply takes the form of freedom from punishment."

Tsule nods.

Speaking quietly in broken common, Tsule says, "I have seen that."

Yaldin nods.

You say, "On the other hand, those leaders who have the faith of others need to provide little in the form of compensation. Those who work with them do so because they feel their work aids themselves and their groups, rather than their leaders and their leaders' groups. ."

Tsule nods.

Yaldin softly says, "One advantage of coercion though, is that it doesn't take much time or effort to build."

You chuckle.

Speaking quietly in broken common, Tsule says, "But it falls apart fast."

Tsule nods to Yaldin.

Yaldin nods.

You say, "It is likely, learning from the example of the leader, that some wish to perform services for their organization to empower themselves, building their own resume, experience, and reputation. Compensation of this sort is preferable to most, whether you are giving or receiving it."

You say, "Now, if you'll notice, there is something I haven't covered that is extremely important."

Yaldin softly asks, "Charity?"

Yaldin blinks.

Tsule smiles at Yaldin.

You say, "Even though I have spoken about what constitutes power, I should say something about how to gain it. There is truly nothing difficult about it. One merely has to be around those one wishes to lead. ."

You say, "Be open, be warm, and be friendly. Let people get to know who you are. Above all, do not try to put on an act, to seem someone you are not. It is going to be a very stressful situation for you, and you are not actually gaining anything worthwhile."
Speaking quietly in broken common, Tsule says, "Not everyone is a leader."

Tsule shakes her head.

You say, "Correct."

Yaldin softly says, "Sometimes it's good to be a follower who can distinguish what should be done and what should not be done, even better, it is better to lead by example and deed than word alone."

You nod.

Tsule nods.

You say, "I would put one stipulation on your statement, Tsule."

Tsule blinks at you.

You say, "I believe that everyone may not naturally have the ability to be a leader, but everyone does have the ability to become a leader."

Tsule ponders.

Speaking quietly in broken common, Tsule says, "True."

Tsule smiles.

You say, "All you need to do is work at it."

Yaldin softly says, "Those who are anti-social or who see others as simply as means to an end, will never be true leaders."

Speaking quietly in broken common, Tsule says, "As with anything, I suppose."

Yaldin softly says, "So I would disagree."

You shake your head.

You say, "Those who are that way aren't working at it."

Yaldin softly says, "Some are incapable of see'ing leadership in the light that you have put on it, it is not an option in their eyes and we must accept that others have a different way of see'ing things."

Speaking quietly in broken common, Tsule says, "But those people would not last as leaders."

You say, "I feel that's only a reason why they don't work at it, rather than why they can't work at it."

Yaldin softly says, "That is your point of view, I think it is a barrier they are incapable of passing for some."

You say, "It may be so, but in my opinion, it's a self-constructed barrier."

Yaldin softly says, "Most leaders don't choose to be leaders, rather they go someplace and others follow."

Yaldin softly says, "In the type of power you have described."

You nod.

You say, "Exactly, they demonstrate that they have that power, so others wish to follow them."

Yaldin nods.

Tsule leans on Asrak, giving him a companionable grin.

You say, "Though, I can't stress enough the importance of relationships."

Balantine nods.

Yaldin nods.

Balantine raises his hand.

Yaldin softly says, "I agree on that point completely."

Tsule nods.

You say, "Go right ahead, Balantine."

Balantine quietly says, "I agree with much that has been said, followers see opportunity in following a leader, whether by coercion or loyalty..."

Balantine quietly says, "But the greatest leaders I have known obtain power by their service."

Asrak nods to Balantine.

Balantine quietly says, "They provide opportunity to the group by providing some benefit."

You say, "They build their own power."

Balantine nods.

You say, "As I was saying about relationships, though..."

Yaldin softly says, "What about situations where followers choose their leaders though and thus give them power? Then there is a situation where you have many followers who follow by loyalty but others who follow by authority."

Yaldin softly says, "Er sorry."

You say, "If you are cold and distant, no one is going to form the necessary relationships with you in order to trust you enough. You could have more ability than anyone else to make the right decisions, but people will not be committed to you unless they actually like you. ."

Tsule nods to you.

You say, "Those you lead do have the opportunity to freely leave your house, order, group, or whatnot. They are not going to stay if the atmosphere is always cold and impersonal. If that is the case, you are relying on them to trust you solely on your authority, which I have covered already. People have more faith in people that they know than they do in the titles of strangers."

Yaldin nods.

Speaking quietly in broken common, Tsule says, "Friendships are vital."

Asrak nods.

You say, "Now, I like that question you asked, Yaldin, since the answer pretty much summarizes nearly all I've said."

As Yaldin taps his mask, its features shift and twist in a disquieting display before settling into a frowning raving lunatic mask.

As Yaldin taps his mask, its features shift and twist in a disquieting display before settling into a snorting raving lunatic mask.

Yaldin frowns.

Yaldin chuckles.

Tsule cowers.

Balantine appears to be trying hard not to grin.

Tsule moves to a kneeling position.

Tsule crawls around behind Asrak.

Asrak chuckles.

Tsule sits up.

You say, "Let's take that vote, and start with that..."

You say, "Those who vote will vote for the one who already has the most power, in their opinion, in an effort to give them authority."

Asrak nods.

You say, "Not all agree, in most cases, so the person elected must always reinforce for all the fact that he has the power to be trusted with that authority."

You say, "That should take care of the first part of your question."

Yaldin nods.

Yaldin softly says, "But that is the easy part I'm sure you'll agree."

You say, "As for the second part, about a situation where some obey due to the power a person wields, and others by the authority...."

You say, "This is what I'll call the most probable of all outcomes."

Yaldin returns to normal color.

Yaldin softly says, "If I were to try to answer my own question, I would think that as a leader it would be my job to at least try to hear those out who would disagree with me and try to accomodate those I could."

You say, "Those who obey only out of deference to authority are, in all likelihood, either going to perform more poorly, or require more compensation."

Yaldin shrugs.

Yaldin ponders.

Yaldin softly says, "That is true."

You say, "In many ways, you are correct."

You say, "It is the leader's job to make those individuals switch to those who would obey based on power."

Yaldin chuckles.

Yaldin falls over.

You say, "And, at the same time, the leader empowers himself."

Yaldin nods.

Asrak rubs his chin thoughtfully.

You say, "Since, naturally, proper demonstration of power increases it."

Tsule nods.

Yaldin softly says, "I was once told, and this summarizes your initial point I think, there are two primary types of leaders, those who would push down those who don't agree with them and those who would try to bring the community up to their level of commitment to the group."

You nod.

You say, "Absolutely."

Yaldin grins.

You say, "You know, I think a perfect example is in two who could not make it here tonight, but asked for me to keep notes for them."

Tsule chuckles.

Yaldin turns an inquisitive ear towards you.

Asrak nods.

You say, "Morgiest and Matti. The former was once the leader of Onoir, and the latter is the current one."

Tsule nods.

You say, "They both still seek out ways to improve their own levels of power, despite the authority they have gained."

You ask, "Before I keep you any longer, though, does anyone have anything they wish to add?"

Yaldin shakes his head.

Tsule shakes her head.

Asrak shakes his head.

Balantine applauds you.

Balantine winks.

Almarac shakes his head.

Speaking quietly in broken common, Tsule says, "Thank you, Thaleles."

Yaldin nods.

You say, "I'd like to thank all of you for being a great audience, then."

Yaldin softly says, "Thank you, most informative."

Balantine stands up.

Tsule nods.

Tsule stands up.

Asrak stands up.

Asrak stretches.

You say, "I'll see most of you at other Onoir events."

Mikare smiles.

Mikare says, "Aye, thank ye."

Balantine quietly says, "Thaleles, thank ye for yer excellent lesson, ye be one of the wisest folk I know in the lands."

(Tsule glances warily at Yaldin's mask)

Balantine bows deeply at the waist, honoring you.

As Yaldin taps his mask, its features shift and twist in a disquieting display before settling into a sleeping raving lunatic mask.

Yaldin grins.

Asrak says, "Yes, a very good lesson. I will think much about it."

Asrak bows deeply at the waist, honoring you.

You say, "Thank you, all."

Tsule bows to you.

Mikare curtsies to you.

Yaldin stands up.

Yaldin bows to you.

Mikare just went out.