This actually came about during a discussion on the Leader list of NC's Telgar Weyr regarding ReImpression.  Sionelle is blue Brynarth's rider there, having served as AWLM, WLM, probably Wingleader and as Weyrsecond. She has this incredible knack of making at least me see things very clearly :) I asked her if I could use this and am grateful that she agreed to it.  It's some great insight into being a leader yourself, knowing when to turn things over and to whom :)

"I know it's a struggle for you to worry about who's going to take up the knot when you want to step down. It was incredibly hard for me to let go of Seacraft when I did, with no real 'perfect' or even, frankly 'really good' candidate in sight. The great people didn't have the time, and the people with the time were 'too new' in my mind. This was my mistake. The fact is, it's new people who have the enthusiasm, fresh perspective and energy to bring dynamic, fun leadership to a weyr. And is the rest of us-- the e-mail list ledge vultures-- who are here as institutional memory and ready assistance if a newbie leader needs it.

Their energy, enthusiasm and sheer delight in playing is what makes newbies special. And it's what makes leadership at Telgar special. Instead of saying 'we need to do some re-impressions in order to get good leadership material' we should appreciate the fact that youthful vigor (lord, I sound like a 19th century novel) is a key component in good leadership. It's not the only one, surely. But I tend to think that it's more important than experience, when there's a whole nestsul of experienced players standing around and ready to help if asked.

Impress metallic dragons to people with (as yet undeveloped) potential, same as always. Then give up the WL knot when you're ready, and before you burn out. If you do what I did at Seacraft, and wait until you can't possibly do anything else, you'll leave that newbie without what he needs-- your experience and assistance to fall back on."