Leader or Follower?

Today's post was inspired by a recent thread in the RD's member forums. The RD's have had some issues with Raiding lately. We lost a few key members to more progressed guilds. Our raiding just is not consistent. We consider ourselves to be a Casual (Family) Guild that Raids. With the eminent release of WotLK coming up, our members either can not be bothered to play or they want to progress further to see as much as we can before the Expac.

The Question?

This is the comment that started the discussion I want to cover today.

The class leaders need to be more responsible.  I didn't even know who mine was till I read this post.  In a raid or out they should take the time to teach people.  If in a raid  take a min to say "hey you should be doing this or that"  It just helps to keep everyone on the same page.  I know I read a lot of the post saying you should read the strategies and stuff like that but try as I might I cant understand half of the over technical talk in that stuff.  Bottom line teach don't expect people to just read some forum post and expect them to understand.   Then again maybe I'm just talking about me. I know I could use the help.

Now I have no problem with this player. He is a good person and fit's into our guild well. However my opinion varies slightly.

My Answer.

My response to this post was as follows:

I don't agree about class leader responsibility. The Information about existing class leaders is easily found on the forums or an easy answer from an officer. It is up to you to come and say "Hey, can you help me understand this". We do not know what you know and don't know. When we see something we will point it out but its up to you to approach for advice. All the class leaders are happy to help anyone that asks at any time.

I didn't really express myself well here, but what I am getting at is you have to take ownership of your knowledge or lack there of. If you don't understand your role in a fight, I think it is up to you to step up and say, can you explain that again please? I think it is you that should approach your class leader or some other experienced player and ask about a strategy you don't understand. I believe it should be a two way street.

Another Answer.

Beld, on the other hand, is far more experienced player. He has been a member of a high end raiding guild. His opinion is:

No offence here Razor but I don't agree with you about class responsibility. In my opinion the Class Leaders should not only be helping their class, but they should be helping the raid staff and indeed the whole Guild.  They should not only be teaching and helping their class members, but they should be encouraging, motivating and driving their class to be the very best they can, and creating the atmosphere of pride in their own class.  They should be ensuring there are enough available geared and skilled members of their class for all raids.  They themselves should be reaching out the hand of knowledge but also the hand of friendship.  They should be doing something.

I agree with everything that that Beld is saying. He just has not covered the whole picture, in my humble opinion. Yes, a class leader should be all those things. My question though is "What is the responsibility of the Player?".

Another Opinion.

Over in World of Matticus, I think Matticus has covered the point I am trying to get across.

10. Willing to ask questions until understanding is achieved.
11. Willing to answer questions until understanding is achieved.

This is what I call the Two Way Street. I think this has to be the most important point in forming a successful Raid.

What do you think?

Razorbax

PS. As per usual I am quoting Beld without consent. I also used his reply as ammunition to try and make him step up as a Class Leader. He never learns does he;)