Gustav's Tips For New (and Prospective) VHLM GMs

[Gustav 6,469]

It's a seasonal occurrence that @Spartan  and I have to hire someone new. As much as as we love our new GMs, the job is demanding, activity naturally shifts over time over circumstances that often aren't foreseen, and the VHLM is always hurt by the perception that VHL jobs are "better" or more desirable. That almost forces us to love our new GMs, because watching some of our best leave us every couple months leaves us with the need to go out and get some more of the best.

 

One might think that, because that sweet VHL job is more desirable, there's more to take care of. That's not the case at all. Of course, there are things that mean that a VHL GM needs to have been around the league for long enough to understand very well how it works. Trade talks are more involved, long-term strategy is actually a thing, and there is a bit of an unfortunate perceived need to be among the league's elite that can sway players to want to play for one GM or another. But VHLM GMing carries challenges of its own. There's a need to be online a lot to keep up with new players, the same questions need to be answered over and over, it's a lot more risky in that some new people aren't mature enough to stick around without blowing up or are just here to spam your server, and it's very frustrating for a GM that's invested in their players' success when someone new and promising decides they'd rather not be the latter. It might even take different sorts of people to do well in different places. I'm much more "interpersonal and caring" than I am "logical and calculated", and let's just say I was a very good VHLM GM and leave it at that.

 

Since there's a lot of work, but not in the most obvious ways, there are lots of things I would say to someone GMing for the first time, and there are also lots of things I would say to someone who hasn't yet gotten the chance. Let's talk about both.

 

 

If you're new to GMing (hi @JCarson, @Dadam30, @LucyXpher, and @Nathan_8! I can't believe it's the first time for all of you):

• SCOUT THE INCOMING DRAFT CLASSES. People today like to complain about not feeling properly valued if they're not scouted. Respectfully, they can pound sand as far as most of this point goes. You should scout recreates as well, for sure, but scouting first-gens is great for getting them involved and it can also tell you so much about the type of player you're getting and whose company you'll get to enjoy (rather than "have to tolerate") while they play for you.
  • You should ask just a few questions that are relevant to the player experience (I'm still not over getting a 3-page Google Form when I was in the PBE with questions including, and I quote, "Favorite Cheez-It?"). Question lists are acceptable when sent to first-timers, but outright disrespectful to some experienced members who you should know already--go ahead and write up a list for someone who's never been here, but I think it's better in either case to just reach out and try to have a conversation. Nice answers that require thought and are written in complete sentences are a HUGE green flag and can get you massive steals if others haven't put in the same work.
• Make friends with other GMs. VHLM GM chat can be a very cool place and you want to be right at the front of someone's mind if they're searching for a solid trade partner. They'll also want you to like them for those same reasons and will act accordingly.
• You will meet people you don't like. You may not get along with every GM, and you certainly won't love every single player that comes into your server. Treat those who aren't outright problems with respect, and feel free to speak up to us if you've got any that are.
• Every season will feel the same and that's OK. Something I wasn't expecting, and something I started to be dissatisfied with by the time my fourth season rolled around, was that the same exact things always had to be explained to people and the roster mostly reset from one season to another. It might not feel like you're getting anywhere after a while, and this might suck a little bit. But every time you answer one of those same questions for someone, you're helping one more person get where they need to be. Don't lose sight of how special some of your interactions in this first season will be, and realize that you get to do exactly that every time.
• Your players are going to think you're really cool. VHLM GMs are rewarded like no other role in terms of how they're viewed by new members. Your players will worship the ground you walk on, sometimes even after you move up. This is normal, you should take it as a compliment, and you should live up to that image with every chance you get.

 

 

And if you're trying to get in?

 

• Show us that you're active enough by being active enough. We often have candidates who just simply haven't done enough to convince us that they're capable. I don't doubt that we've had candidates who would have made good GMs had we noticed. Getting active and staying there for at least a season is certainly a good way to notice, and you should be doing more than just earning. Post interesting stuff on the forums and be on Discord enough that it's reasonably possible that I'll run into you at some point. Also, just be a nice person. We aren't in the business of hiring people that could cause issues.
• Keep trying. I know it's discouraging to put your name in for something and watch others get hired. Lots of the time, we'll hire something like 2 people when we have 3 or 4 that we think are good enough. That's wonderful and gives us names to keep in mind for next time if you keep trying. Having these first two points in mind will absolutely get you a job if you keep at it long enough.
• Be a GM for other league tournaments. Running a team for World Juniors or World Cup or even one of the others that isn't officially run by the league is a great way to teach yourself how STHS works, run your own locker room, and have something to mention in your GM applications. It's a great test of whether you'll end up liking the real thing and it might be something we notice you being involved with.
• Be an AGM. This one is fairly self-explanatory. I don't personally care about anything you do as an AGM, but presumably you'll learn things from your GM that will be transferable skills to a GM job of your own. It also just shows that same willingness to get involved that's present in the last point.
• Ask questions. My inbox is open, for one. I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that. But aside from anything I may or may not have to offer, try learning from those who are already in the positions you want. A lot of that comes with things like being an AGM, but it can also just come from staying connected to GMs by being part of the league. Which mostly just relates to the first point again. Be active and be cool.

 

 

The VHLM is an incredible place and I hope all of you have had positive experiences being a part of it. It's with that in mind that I hope you want to have more of that while also creating it for others--and as someone who runs it, let's work together to make it even better.

[LucyXpher 1,578]

This is a fantastic article! I'm bookmarking this to read again later. Thanks!