We have many awesome leaders among us. This is a post celebrating community. I asked 20 leaders (some I know and some are new) what piece of advice they would give a co-op leader. This was originally published inside of a public group, so I removed the leaders names for privacy. These are the responses I got back.*
This Ol Farm Be kind Whether it's a bad suggestion, new player that isn't a good fit or someone being rude! Take the time to explain why a suggestion wouldn't work or why the new player isn't a good fit. Everyone counts and that's makes for a happy home! Lets Get Started Set attainable goals Co-op leaders need to set team goals that are attainable with current members with buy in from the group. These goals may not always align with your current individual goals so be patient.
Raisin Hill Have leader huddles Just had a productive huddle with my yellow jackets. We all walked away feeling great about our decisions. We also have agreed to have huddles every couple weeks to discuss any issues that may occur.
Back 2 Country Life Communicate Communicate Communicate Most problems, drama, and stress can be fixed or shared if you as a leader communicate with your team and as your their example and you make it a safe place to openly communicate without ridicule they will communicate with you and the team.
Csapatjátékosok (means Team Players) Actions speak louder than words It's not enough to tell your coop members what they should do. You need to lead by example, so they can see that it works and it is worth it. Team play is built on trust. They will trust you only when they see that you do what you say. Don't expect others to hold their cherry if you don't do that either. Leadership is setting the right example.
Williamson Farms Don’t push your players so much if they turn yellow once in a while. You never know what others are going through. I started my first year in college recently and I caught myself turning yellow often. I explained my reasoning to my co-op partners and they understood. Being out of school for 11 years and going back put me into shock and I had to get in the groove of everything.
KVC Ranch To have a good, strong and supportive team, you must be willing to learn and grow yourself. As a fellow leader, I feel this way in real life and in this game; I am a small business owner and if I don't continue to learn and grow, then I will stagnate and die. Life and change/growth is continuing around us at all times, grow with it, change with it and better yourself!
Psycho Tillers Build a strong Leadership Team When starting out, identify farmers who have similar goals along with leadership skills to appoint as deputies. Set up a separate messenger group for the leadership team, and use it to make team plans, ensure everyone is on the same page, discuss any opportunities or challenges, and expectations are agreed to. Anonymous - Unknown (I asked a Deputy... oops) I’m a deputy.. so will stay out of this one.. but my 1 thing for co op leader suggestion... is to **COMMUNICATE! ** Ours really only states items she has ready, sadly.
Rainbow Retreat Think long term, patience is definitely key Prioritize farm growth rather than co-op ranking, your co-ops success will follow naturally as their farms grow. A lower ranked co-op collecting more tourney rewards is of more use to your team in the long run than a high ranking and less goodies. Keeping it fun not a chore is absolutely essential to build and keep a team, burnt out players don't stay.
Packer Nation Be a guide, not a boss with your coop Your farmers play this game to relax and get away from real life bosses/teachers/supervisors. Being a leader that allows flexibility, common goals and allows player input will go far to create not only growth of the coop as a whole, but will inspire individual farmers to feel needed, wanted and listened to in regard to the continual growth of the coop. Most importantly, don't force a personal agenda on the coop. As the coop moves forward, a natural rhythm and flow will rise from tournaments, challenges and individual endeavors, making play ultimately fun for all. The ones that don't make a good fit will actually weed themselves out.
Mission Possible32 Don’t ask someone to do something that you wouldn’t do [yourself] ie if you ask them to plant wheat or whatever or collect eggs, if you won’t do the same. [I've] had a few players saying a few co ops they been in that happened.
The Royal Loyals Value the people above everything else They need to know how much you care for them as a person, not just for their farm and what they can produce. Always connect with them personally if possible and always let them know how much you appreciate them. Ask them how they are and be willing to work around issues in their lives. In my opinion, people are more important than their farms, their products, or the numbers they can produce. If you take care of the people, you will get the farms that will grow with you, produce the numbers you want and they will stay with you.
Farming the World Don't spread yourself too thin! You are the master painter and your co-op is an empty canvas when you start. Please create a vision and focus on it, but don't be afraid to let others put in their strokes on your canvas.. Your work of art may never be complete, but it will resemble your passion and your vision. Stay focused.
Sleepless in NYC Stay engaged with your people Ask them about their day, about their families, about their life. This is just a game, but it can be sooo much more. Truthfully, I don't play for the game much anymore, I play for the people. Our co-op is made from people spread thousands of miles apart, but we are close. People come and go, but true friendships evolve, and the game is more rewarding. So like I said, engage with your players.
Greene Acres Don’t try to outrun your abilities Using gold, purple, or cash to grow your farm or co-op faster than its natural ability is not sustainable. Once the well runs dry and the co-op starts dropping back down the ranks to find its natural place, the letdown will often kill the motivation to continue and members will get frustrated, discouraged or leave. Continually speeding because you didn’t plan your time accordingly will eventually catch up to you, leading to a citation and possibly missing the engagement entirely.
A Deputy that functions as a Leader (again, oops) All farmers have bad days Real life can affect our farming and our mood. When you come on in a bad mood it is easy to be less tolerant. Try to take a breath before you respond to what you perceive as a negative comment.
Spicedaddys lair There is life outside the farm, be fair! Remember life is chaotic [so] let the farm be the escape = happy Team members! Happy farmers are productive and choose to work together!
De Zilvervos Never give up any mood/hope to get a good, active and loyal coop Just keep searching for new people to join. Invite them if they are without a coop or promote it in FB groups like these. You'll get a better coop than you thought of having.
ThreeCatsFarming
Communication is the key between leaders, deputies and keeping your members happy
*I formatted for consistency. When more than 2 word needed to be changed, I sought approval of the edits.
Thank you!