What additional characteristics do you look for in a moderator?

Other than the usual things like being active on your forum, remaining interested in the subject, and maybe some experience moderating, what additional things do you look for? If you don't particularly care about anything else, what if you wanted a moderator and 10 people met your conditions, what would give someone the edge?

 

In order for a candidate to be viable, I tend to look for the following:

• An acceptable level of maturity - those who are clearly immature (or have the possibility of being immature at particular times) are not ideal.
• Commendable "people skills" - working with the members of a community is crucial and, therefore, having the ability to communicate effectively with others is of high importance.
• Logic in thinking - if you're going to argue or debate with another member, do so in a logical fashion. Flaming others for a difference in opinion is not acceptable.

 

Well I found the most popular guy on my site and made him a Super Mod and he is already talking about signing people up just to ban :lol:

Seriously, the guy is probably the best choice for any mod position. He's that laid back guy everyone loves. The guy will do anything for anyone but want take crap either. And he probably knows more about the subject matter than me. So if people need help it shouldn't be a problem. I realize it's a small site but we're going out of town for a few weeks...off the beaten path where internet access can be challenging. So I asked if he would help out with spam etc.

 

I like my moderators to be polite, and to always address other members in a respectful manner.

I also like from them not to be abusive. Being moderator concedes a position of power. That power should be used to help other people, not to humiliate or otherwise make them feel bad.

I also like my moderators to be passionate, and active in the forums. Moderating should not be just about editing posts and deleting threads.

 

I would definitely say intelligence is one of the major factors I look for, as well as the ability to make both parties in a dispute feel like you're treating them fairly.

 

We look for those who are truly interested and enjoy our forums and have actively been a part as a member for a while so we know they will stick around. There is no point taking on someone who just wants the rank, has never posted before and who leaves within a week

 

I like my moderators and my staff to be mature, but enjoy there time on my forum and funny.

 

A sense of humor is definitely another good attribute for a mod. If you can defuse a tense situation with humor and wit, everybody leaves happy.

 

How could I forgot to mention "having a sense of humor"?

Not too long ago, I promoted a member who was a "near perfect" candidate for a moderation position - a mature and fairly intelligent individual with a background in forum administration. He was also an active member of the community, and he was well-liked by his fellow members. Shortly after promoting him to a staff position, I began receiving complaints: he was closing and moving every single thread that was (or could be) related to a joke and/or life event. For example...

Let's say that it's Bob's birthday. Rather than privately contacting him to wish him well, a member decides that creating a public "birthday" thread would be the better route to take. Shortly after its creation, the thread receives large amounts of activity - then the moderator comes around (we'll call him Jake for all-intensive purposes). As the thread cannot be related to the subject matter of the forum, he decides to close the thread and then move it to the trash bin. Keep in mind, this thread was originally posted in the off-topic section and was in complete agreement with the rules and/or Terms of Service policy.

Talk about annoying.

 

I want to be friendly with public, be fun, have fun but know when to be strict. People who are forward with the community, those who are outspoken and are not afraid of speaking up when they see something wrong. A person that feels that they are good for the community and that is more than glad to her. Basically all this resumed in a people's person.

 

That's certainly an extreme example! How did you handle him? Enough closed threads like that and your members will get fed up quickly.

 

He was taken care of almost immediately - after communicating with him privately, he seemed to get annoyed and eventually left. He wasn't as mature as he made himself appear, which is a shame.

 

I like a person who thinks out of the box. Someone who is laid back, but strict when things have to be done the right way. Picking a moderator is a fine art.