Effective Profile Moderation: Skills & Techniques

Profile Moderator

Essential Skills

• Strong speaking and body language skills
• Positive and constructive attitude
• Ability to develop personal relationships with group members
• Ability to manage interpersonal conflicts within the group
• Critical thinking skills
• Ability to motivate and encourage others
• Knowledge of game development and techniques
• Improvisation skills

Understanding Group Dynamics

Social Network Parameters

• Structure: Group size, frequency of interaction, social position within the group.
• Quality: Degree of group cohesion.
• Interaction: Characteristics of relationships.
• Function: The specific role of each individual.

Effective communication is crucial for successful profile moderation.

Dynamism Styles

Autocratic Control

• Constantly issues directives.
• Expects immediate compliance with orders.
• Sets standards unilaterally.
• Closely supervises the group.
• Offers praise sparingly.
• Lacks faith in the group's abilities.
• Seeks personal triumph.
• Avoids responsibility.
• Resists change.

Consequences

• Low levels of cooperation.
• Lack of responsibility.
• Continuous suspicion and criticism.
• Irritability.
• Outward submission masking deep discontent.
• Members blame each other.
• Productivity drops when the leader is absent.
• Fear of freedom.

Paternalistic Command

• Unaware of their authoritarianism.
• Superficially concerned for the group.
• Inflexible in their views.
• Bases authority on knowledge and experience.
• Listens without hearing.
• Denies the group's autonomy.

Consequences

• Submissive attitude.
• Limited initiative.
• Few opportunities for cooperation, participation, and team spirit.
• Eventually leads to similar issues as autocratic leadership.
• Rarely addresses the root of problems.

Laissez-Faire Command

• Exhibits either too little or too much trust in the group.
• Lacks clear objectives.
• Struggles with decision-making.
• Fails to provide rationale or encouragement.
• Abandons leadership functions.
• Avoids responsibility.
• Mistakes inaction for empowerment.

Consequences

• Lack of group cohesion.
• Irritability.
• Lack of cooperation.
• High levels of tension.
• Underperformance.
• Poor work ethic.
• Anxiety due to unclear expectations.
• Loss of control.

Democratic Control

• Encourages participation.
• Nurtures and guides the group.
• Serves the group.
• Relies on group norms.
• Shares approaches and standards.
• Offers both positive and negative feedback empathetically.
• Demonstrates high stability and frustration tolerance.
• Focuses on achieving objectives.
• Delegates responsibilities.
• Strengthens interpersonal communication.
• Supports and facilitates change.

Consequences

• Members take ownership.
• High degree of accountability, participation, and teamwork.
• High performance.
• Group productivity remains high even in the leader's absence.
• Strong sense of unity.
• Low levels of aggression and apathy.
• Leader acts as a supportive friend.
• High but stable unit support, with subgroups.
• Low frustration, coherent responses to challenges.
• Strong identification with objectives.
• Open communication and mutual support.