User:Josephyr/AdminPhilosophy

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 * Administrator Philosophy:

The administrator position is the not one to be given, nor taken, lightly. Becoming a member of such a group takes a user from the normal pool of regular users, and thrusts them into the wilds and tumults of leadership.

I believe that administrators should be held and conform to a higher standard than their fellow users. Administrators are not just users with extra buttons: they are role models, leaders, and need to display characteristics of such. As Publius Syrus said, “The greater a man is in power above others, the more he ought to excel them in virtue. None ought to govern who is not better than the governed.”

I believe that admins should follow a strict code of moral, ethical, and social conduct. The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves. Standards I espouse for myself are:


 * Always tell the truth.
 * Create a foundation of fairness and openness.
 * Communicate constantly and exhibit strong and active listening skills. Be approachable.
 * Be frank, but kind.
 * Be decisive.
 * Let everyone know what is expected and be demanding as far as standards and values are concerned.
 * Be encouraging.
 * Be a problem solver and part of the solution, and be willing to delegate.
 * Show patience, discipline, and determination.
 * Love what you do and have a generous spirit.
 * Find a proper balance between spending time on Wikia, and working in real life, and encourage and help others to do the same.
 * Lead by example. Be receptive to new ideas. Be both a teacher and a learner. Value creativity and let people stretch themselves.
 * Exercise moral courage.
 * Have a heart, and don’t be afraid to show it.



All of these values which I believe an admin should have are not gained overnight, but rather through experience and time. No one is perfect, and mistakes will be made continually - after all, we are only human. However, from these mistakes, users must learn from them, and grow in maturity, and increase in their leadership stature. Leadership is about taking responsibility for your own errors, not making excuses. Furthermore, admins should be continually self-examining themselves, and trying to improve. Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.

Administrators should be selflessly serving their communities. However, no user will be a great leader who wants to do it all himself, or get all the credit for doing a task. A great admin's actions should foster an environment of engagement and activity, and allow others to participate in helping with tasks, both large and small. Administrators also need to be willing to stand up for what they believe in, regardless of what others think. A leader does not deserve the title unless he is willing occasionally to stand alone.

Furthermore, I believe that being an administrator is in your blood, and not something that everyone can achieve. Not everyone is called to be a leader, and not every active contributor will benefit a wiki by holding such a position. Some are destined to lead - others are destined to follow. Verily, some users promoted to admin may even cause more harm than good in that position, and hurt the community which they were supposed to selflessly serve.

I end with this quote:

"If an admin inspires others to dream more, learn more, accomplish more, attempt more, and become more… they are a successful admin.“