Insubordination vs. Gross Disrespect
There’s been some recent, low level guild drama, and I want to clarify a common misunderstanding about insubordination. Insubordination is a repeated refusal to follow a reasonable direct order. Guild members can be disrespectful without being insubordinate, but they cannot be insubordinate without being disrespectful.
The reason I point this out is that the way to deal with insubordination is different from the way one would handle gross disrespect. The difference being that you must determine whether the member is actually being insubordinate.
To prevent insubordination, make sure that members know that they must follow any direct orders from their officers, and that failure to do so could lead to them being removed from the guild. I plan to review our guild policies, and if necessary, submit a proposal to add such language.
If you tell a member to do something, and they refuse, ask them bluntly, “Are you refusing to follow a direct order?” Usually, they will explain their refusal, but if not, ask them why. This is VERY important.
Listen to the member. It’s possible that your instructions were unclear, and a discussion may help clarify them. Also, if the member is unable to follow the order because they don’t have the tools to do so, or they don’t have the skills they need, they will tell you. If you give a member an order which is unethical, that is also a valid reason for them to refuse, and they shouldn’t be punished for that.
If you go through this process, and you determine that the member is being insubordinate, start with the discipline.
If your member is being disrespectful without being insubordinate, you don’t need to go through the above process. In this case, they aren’t refusing to do anything, they are simply being insolent, or are otherwise abusive. It’s much easier in this instance to implement a disciplinary process, because you don’t have to worry about why the member is being abusive. It’s simply not allowed.
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slashwho said:
That is a helpful clarification, thank you.
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dreadedfork posted this
