Taco Tuesday - Clan Management, it's a Dirty Job but I Don't Mind!

Kletus asked me to write a bit about clan management.  I've been a clan leader for a little over a year now and I don't consider myself an expert on the topic, but we win more wars than we lose and we have a core group of extremely loyal players, some of whom followed me when our last clan imploded, so I must be doing something right.  The way I see it, there are three basic tenets of successful clan leadership: clear and concise expectations, a fair approach, and leading by example.

Clear and concise expectations are key. There really isn't room in your clan description or even in chat to get prolific and I personally find it tiresome to repeat myself all the time.  I prefer fewer hard and fast rules because it's more realistic that people will remember them and it's less work to enforce them.  In Evil Queso our expectations are pretty straight forward: Elder is earned, everyone participates in war, use both attacks in war or be kicked, help each other as much as you can (this means donate), archers are the default donation, and no kids allowed ever.  All this is in the clan description, and we expect everyone to know and observe these rules.  Anyone who can't abide isn't a good fit and has to go.

I will add this... we have a war strategy and it won't work if everyone doesn't follow it.  It won't fit in the clan description and I don't bother explaining it in chat or mail except during war. Further, it goes without saying we expect a certain level of gamepersonship, particularly when it comes to war, and we enforce that same as we do all the other rules (get on board or get out).  I flat out refuse to explain why it's not fair for a player to demand high level expensive troops like witches (outside of war) if they can't even make them to reciprocate and before donating to requests already open in chat. I don't mind helping people learn the game but if your character is borked you're on your own.  I'm not a parent or a tee-ball coach and I don't argue with anyone about this kind of foolishness, I just kick.

A fair approach is important because it keeps resentment down and resentment will kill a clan, ask me how I know!  With this in mind, the rules are the same for everyone and anyone who can't follow them has to get out, even if they are friends outside of the game.  Trust I'm not exaggerating when I say I would kick my mother out of Evil Queso if she didn't attack in war.  My clan knows this and it's why, in general, the vibe stays pretty copacetic.  

Leading by example is part of a fair approach and it fosters respect.  If you're going to enforce rules, best be following them yourself.  Luckily, this comes easily to me because I'm naturally smug and I enjoy feeling superior.  My donations are on point, I make sure everyone has maxed troops for their war attacks, I try to help players get better by giving constructive advice when asked, I can take anything I dish out, and I don't give my friends a pass when they act up.

I've been criticized for being a hard ass in this game, specifically for being too quick to kick players who would maybe respond to more coaching, but here's the thing: it is a game and as soon as it stops being fun I'm done.  Arguing or debating with people I don't even know is the opposite of fun for me and I refuse to do it.  You can't make anyone do anything in this game, all you can do is weed out behavior that doesn't fit with the culture of your clan.  Think about what that means for you.  Your clan may have different rules, or more rules, whatever works for you is fine, but you must communicate them, enforce them, and observe them yourself.