How to conduct yourself during your RfA
- Professionalism. It is important to run your RfA candidacy with professionalism. Decide when you are ready to submit it (making sure it is not too soon after your last attempt), and do a good job of answering the questions in a way that shows why you would be a credit to Wikipedia as an administrator. We want admins for the benefit of Wikipedia, we don't pass out these powers to make your life easier. Make sure you tell us why you will benefit the project as an admin.
- Oppose votes. Once you submit your RfA, do not withdraw under any circumstances (well, not without consulting others, the point is that some panic after a handful of oppose votes come and throw in the towel prematurely). A withdrawal should be a well considered decision. Just as leaving Wikipedia can be interpreted as immaturity, so can a premature withdrawal under stress.
- Remember that the oppose votes tend to come early. There are a handful of users who vote oppose for all but the most spectacular candidates. Just accept that you will get these oppose votes. Unfortunately, these early votes make it appear that you are trending poorly. The support votes will continue to come in throughout the week long process, so what looks like a lost cause on day 1 or day 2, will often end up as a successful RfA at the end of the week.
- It is common in close RfAs that one or two oppose votes will be withdrawn by the voter when you show your measured response and address whatever their concern was. So again, you can't believe the apparent trend in oppose votes cast early.
- Your replies. Do not be argumentative with oppose voters either on your RfA or on their talk pages. This is not professional. Answer objective questions in an informative manner. Do not reply to attacks or bad faith comments of others. How you conduct yourself is being watched. There is no need to say much at all during your RfA week, let others argue on your behalf if they must (but discourage your supporters from being too argumentative).
- Relax. Just let the process run its course. It is out of your hands for the most part. Even if the RfA does not end up successful, if you have exhibited yourself in a good light, it will be noted on your next attempt (and enough voters always look at your previous RfA attempts, that this does matter).
- Try again. Sometimes some chink in your armor is exploited as an excuse for a bunch of oppose votes to be cast. Don't let it upset you. It means you will have to wait for adminship. Many second attempts are successful, when the reasons for opposing in the first have faded in importance. As mentioned in point 4, make sure you don't burn your bridges in the current RfA or you will harm your future chances. (See also this discussion)
Related thoughts on leaving Wikipedia.