Approach problems and failure - don't avoid them.

  As a guild you will always have problems - and problems cannot be avoided. Many choose to look through their fingers, when problems occur and hope for them to disappear, however it is very important, that the guild master is aware of all potential problems in the guild.

If you do not engage the problems, they will either become a lot bigger and complicated, or they might destroy the good atmosphere and foundation for some of your members, or in worst cases your entire guild.

It is therefore a really good ability to be able to detect problems as soon as they happen - even before they happen. The sooner you deal with them the better - then it doesn't matter if it is just a minor issue - that issue might turn bigger over time, if it is not dealt with.

If there is something which does not feel right to you, even if it is arguments between members, you somewhat need to interfere. A guild is like a company, and when you have a lot of different people with different backgrounds all together,  and chances are, not all will get along – but we all need each other, and in theory there should be room for every one as well, as long as it is within reason and it doesn’t have a negative impact on the guild, the atmosphere, and how it is run.

It is better, to settle things between members – I have experienced from other guilds, members trying to convince others to leave, to get some people kicked or feel like an outcast – only because of personal or competitive reasons.

It is very important that a broken link is found in time, before he/she manages to ruin things for another member, or perhaps several members, for his/her own benefits.
I have a few examples in my own guild – who have been around for years. They are great and solid members – but they are far from good players, and never will be. However – they know my exact feelings and thoughts about them. They know I will avoid picking them for raids, if we are in need of better players for a raid.
I have a few examples in my own guild – who have been around for years. They are great and solid members – but they are far from good players, and never will be. However – they know my exact feelings and thoughts about them. They know I will avoid picking them for raids, if we are in need of better players for a raid.
But there is left plenty of room to them, they are being judged on their awesome personalities, not their performance - which is unfortunately forgotten around many guilds these days.
Remember what guild you want, how you want it, and how you want to run it – and stick to it!

In general it is essential you keep your guild on track, and you maintain the attitude and atmosphere you wish in your guild – keep it good, and judge new members carefully – again having a member who fits your guild, but might be under-geared is a lot more valuable than an over-geared douche.

Same concepts can be applied to failure -

If you don't learn to fail, you fail to learn.

It is important to be able to handle failure well as a guild master. Expecting every player, to be at the same level, or avoiding mistakes can result in you losing good atmosphere and potentially good members. Some members are more than raiders, and good players, and members who contribute to an active chat and a good atmosphere, are in my opinion just as valuable as a skilled raider.

You rather want to have a member who is far from the best in damage or healing – but who is loyal, honest and reliable. Increasing skills and gathering gear – is a lot easier approach, than having a skilled player, who is acting like a douche, and is essentially only bringing good gameplay to the guild – and nothing else, besides a smelly attitude.

Be careful not to bash your members and use them as bad-examples to the rest of your members.  Focus on the solutions instead, and make sure they will be noticed instead.

Some members might never improve and will always be the rock bottom – however make sure they know – there is no harm in telling people about their own performance, as long as you can prove to them, what is wrong, in a nice way. If they fail to understand - then they might not be suitable for the guild.