Hairbear, you perhaps are the greatest PR spokesperson I have seen come from AA's Clan, yet you still have not rebut Dragonette's simple observations on AA's leadership skills. I will grant to some he may seem quite charismatic and able, yet the simple facts remain on what appears to be his leadership qualities. Charisma does not equate to leadership abilities.
Now, as to the “profound change” you mentioned, are you perhaps the bringer of such change?
And pray tell, what would you consider leadership qualities? [/quote]
Erm… friends, amongst which you can count yourself, are allowed to call me dragonet. I do not know of a “Dragonette” who would have spoken in this discussion…
Now, regarding leadership qualities… forgive me for quoting myself, but…
ArchAngel's using some younglings from his clan to send his messages is, to my eye, utterly devoid of the barest hint of basic courtesy and leadership substance.
The one speaking for the clan is the clan leader. Period.
Leader qualities are strategic thinking, courage, dignity, guts, and elegance.
AA is found wanting on these items. I don’t have to agree or disagree with the above statement, but they are irrelevant to both the subjects at hand, that are
1) does AA have any leadership qualities
2) since the discussion theme is « clan Capadocious recruiting », should John Doe youngling vampire choose Cap clan, and why ?
You are telling that someone who’s good in an expert role does not necessarily have the skills to be a good leader or a manager.
I say that someone, AA, who’s good (maybe) as a sire does not necessarily have the skills to be a good clan leader.
We say the same, but that’s no proof, nor real argument…
Basing on the qualities that I spoke about before, let’s check…
Strategic thinkingIn the present case, strategic thinking would have been choosing a side right from the beginning, not after the heat of the fight has passed.
It would have been teaching and coordinating the younger fighters so that they do maximum damage, even though their resources might not be as great as the enemy.
For example in that area, I suggest to have a look at clan L’inconnu.
So, what do we have :
A clan that waited for a good time before they decided which side they’d fight on, to make sure they’d be on the winning one. Wow ! Strategic !
Vampires not even fully powered, stealing and displacing targets, instead of HWing them, which clearly shows how well they were trained.
CourageCourage would have been fighting alongside the clan members, every night, fiercely, maybe engaging in live fight. Remaining out of shadows the whole day to lure the other side’s fighters out of shadows.
For example in that area, I suggest Brutus and Lestat, though there are others.
So, what do we have :
A leader in shadows, not fighting, not throwing HWs…
Clearly shows the courage level of the leader.
Dignity Dignity is taking on oneself to be the speaker for the clan and be reproached every wrongdoing of the clan members, but stand and defend what and who should be.
It is paying the proper respect to the fighters from each side, defending the clanspeople and fighters from unwarranted criticism, but accepting truth with good grace.
For example in that area, I suggest Brutus and Lestat, though there are others.
So, what do we have :
A leader that refuses to come speak in person, and does not even send a 2IC, but only younglings to speak for him and the clan.
A leader that is as conspicuously absent from the verbal sparring as he is from the actual fighting, letting untrained, non fully-powered vampires do it in his stead.
Clearly shows the dignity of the leader.
Guts Guts is close to courage, but a little different to me, since it’s more about the ability to be daring and surprising. It’s about exposing oneself more than would be reasonable, to make a statement, making something maybe stupid, but spectacular.
It is Moirai going alone at a large group of vampires, be it for the sheer Lulz of it, or simply because it’s his nature. It’s not necessarily wise, since it might eventually lead to a zeroing, but hell, it’s the kind of things that are being remembered when all is over.
More than anyone else, a leader should not let themselves be insulted or slighted, and should take decisive and appropriate action when such is the case.
It is defending a cause, alone, when it is just, even though one knows he’ll lose the fight.
The example that comes to my mind would be Moirai.
So, what do we have :
A leader that always uses the same old lame tactics, of hiding and fleeing from the fight.
When’s the last time I saw AA make a daring move by himself ?
Elegance Elegance refers to the ability to express oneself with clarity and courtesy. It also is about not taking the others for stupid people, or making a fool of oneself.
Bug you shall never see insulting someone, or speaking to someone as if he were gullible and feebleminded.
So, what do we have :
A leader that throws a fit over a former childe opposing truth to a lie he said, fitting almost as many insults as Tyger fits in so few lines…
A leader that starts a picture campaign against a clan he’s fighting, as if the members were brainless zombies.
I could elaborate more, but I believe I have said enough on the subject of AA.
Note : I deliberately refrained from using ophelia as an example for all leadership items, since it could and would be considered subjective.
Now, that leads me to question 2), that is the original discussion topic :
Cap clan recruiting.
Beyond the obvious issue of a clan named after someone being led by another someone, it would seem that the reason Cap clan is recruiting is because they’re running out of cannon fodder…
Now, why should I, theoretical John Doe vampire, wish to enter Cap clan ?
A) so that I be properly trained before I am sent to war.
Well… Last I heard, one is deemed able to fight when having reached Thievery3 and Shadows 3.
WOW ! stellar ! In human soldiering terms, that would translate into « pick a gun and a pair of boots, then go fight
Er… May I have some clothing and an ammo clip ?
What for ? »
B) so that my clan elder could be role models and teach me how to properly behave in the city.
Yes, they’ll teach you how to lie, how to not match words and deeds, and how to run from a fight then.
Honestly, that much you can get without stepping out of the ghetto.
C) so that people look at me with respect and maybe awe, since I belong to a prestigious clan in the city ?
Well, in the « Ramble » section of this very paper, there’s a discussion named « OMG They're getting stronger! ». It should enlighten you.
D) To have fun with people who « recognizes the raw talent and also has the capacity to nurture and inspire his foundlings caring about me ? »
Yeah, but that’s what families are for…
Anyway you look at it, AA’s cap clan just fails…
You said that change comes from within. I am agreeing with you there. Clan leader change can only come from within… The day when you demote AA from his role as clan burden / leader (pick one), then I’ll certainly change my view on your clan.
One of the many burdens of being a clan leader is that the clan leader impersonates the clan. If the clan leader is as much inadequate as AA is, the whole clan suffers.
I have to commend you some though, since you display quite a few of the leader’s capacities that your « leader » fails at :
Elegance (you don’t throw insults at people disagreeing with you), guts (defending AA IS a lost cause), and dignity (you DO stand for your clan and accept criticism).
All in all, I find you make a fine spokesperson for your clan.
Now go teach AA some of that.
Sorry I've been long...
Edit: Fixed quotes...
