1. How would you deal with a user who produced a steady stream of valuable answers, but tends to generate a large number of arguments/flags from comments?

This has happened on another site that I moderate. The first approach was, and would be again, to add comments to suggest the user's tone be moderated. When that doesn't work, deleting their comments as unfriendly/unkind sends a warning message. Of course, a brief suspension remains a last resort.

2. How would you handle a situation where another mod closed/deleted/etc. a question that you feel shouldn’t have been?

First, contact the other moderator. They may have spotted something that I missed or I may persuade them they were too hasty. If I really disagree, I may reopen the post and let the community decide.

3. In your opinion, what do moderators do?

Be moderate. Keep the site free of distraction. The SE Q&A format works best with concise, on-topic posts. Ideally, this should be done discreetly. Moderators should act quietly in the background wherever possible. The site belongs to the community, not to the moderators.

4. A diamond will be attached to everything you say and have said in the past, including questions, answers and comments. Everything you will do will be seen under a different light. How do you feel about that?

I've always posted with the knowledge that the community is watching - moderator or not. If users regard me very differently as a moderator, I'm doing it wrong. I'll try to pick up on it and change.

5. In what way do you feel that being a moderator will make you more effective as opposed to simply reaching 10k or 20k rep?

The tools available to moderators are different. I'm a 10k user on other sites and see the difference. The tools can provide more information that can result in a more informed decision.

6. What made you come to Lifehacks SE for the first time - and what made you stay?

I was already a member of the wider SE network. I saw Lifehacks when looking to see if other sites might be useful. I stayed as I picked up a few useful tips.

7. What trait makes you well suited to a site that’s based on out-of-the-box thinking? Especially considering that the rules of both the site and the Stack Exchange network demand of moderators to follow and enforce said rules, which goes against the site’s core spirit of finding non-standard solutions - and which some users struggle with.

Probably my experience of trying to fix problems when I don't have access to professional tools, assuming there are such tools. I can put myself in the place of the questioner to try to see their problem. A good, clever Lifehack is usually easy to spot. Moderation is 90% common sense, I like to think I have enough of it.

A note up front: these answers may be copied and modified from my earlier nominations. Most Stack Exchange communities aren't that different from each other, and I still stand behind answers I gave in the past.

1. How would you deal with a user who produced a steady stream of valuable answers, but tends to generate a large number of arguments/flags from comments?

Being nice is very important to the success of Stack Exchange; more important than posting good answers (or questions, for that matter). I'd remind this user (in a polite but strict way) to change their behaviour or face the consequences in the form of a suspension. There are enough other users who can write those valuable answers instead.

2. How would you handle a situation where another mod closed/deleted/etc. a question that you feel shouldn’t have been?

I'd discuss this with them in a private chatroom. I might bring in a third moderator as well if I feel we need to make a tough decision, so that it can be a decision of a majority. There's no need doing this in public and risk harming the trust the community has in the moderator team.

3. In your opinion, what do moderators do?

Moderators are first and foremost elected by the community to represent their interests in every way possible. In general, those interests may be helping with welcoming new users, handling flags, doing a lot of reviews, and being a bridge between the community and Stack Exchange the company, among other things. It sometimes means putting your own ideas second, third, or even ignoring them altogether. Writing answers (or questions) is not one of their primary tasks; that's where subject matter experts are for. (Yes, I believe there's something like a lifehacks expert – sometimes I'm amazed what people can do where my reaction would just be to buy a new one.)

4. A diamond will be attached to everything you say and have said in the past, including questions, answers and comments. Everything you will do will be seen under a different light. How do you feel about that?

No problem at all. I always try to Be Nice to all people, even if I think they have bad ideas or opinions which I can outright refute. Respect is the keyword for building a community where everybody is welcome. I have certainly made some mistakes in the past, but that only proves I'm human and not an AI.

5. In what way do you feel that being a moderator will make you more effective as opposed to simply reaching 10k or 20k rep?

Well, it's 2k or 4k here ... but anyway, moderator votes are binding, which is handy to quickly get rid of content which doesn't belong here (Lifehacks sees quite a bit of spam given its size).

6. What made you come to Lifehacks SE for the first time - and what made you stay?

Good question! I've definitely used some of the hacks I read here before I posted my first question (and answer) but I don't remember which specific ones. I'll continue to visit the site, regardless of whether I'm elected or not - there's simply so much to learn here.

7. What trait makes you well suited to a site that’s based on out-of-the-box thinking? Especially considering that the rules of both the site and the Stack Exchange network demand of moderators to follow and enforce said rules, which goes against the site’s core spirit of finding non-standard solutions - and which some users struggle with.

I have some experience with that on other atypical Stack Exchange sites, Puzzling, Stack Apps and even Meta Stack Exchange. Some Stack Exchange rules are universal, some can easily be waved by the community. With a little guidance, I believe we can help a lot of users make useful contributions, even if they're not familiar with how Stack Exchange works or the specifics of our community. I'm more than aware some communities need a different moderation style than others.

1. How would you deal with a user who produced a steady stream of valuable answers, but tends to generate a large number of arguments/flags from comments?

Nobody is above the law. No matter how valuable one's answers might be, if they keep breaking the rules by posting inappropriate comments, and won't stop after being warned, I'll suspend them like any other user who do the same.

2. How would you handle a situation where another mod closed/deleted/etc. a question that you feel shouldn’t have been?

Contact the other moderator in private (email or private chat room) and discuss this. If not reaching a resolve, involve another moderator, and depends how strongly I feel about it, might escalate to a CM, however I will not reopen/undelete right away. "Mod wars" are the last thing a site needs.

3. In your opinion, what do moderators do?

Moderate the site, meaning keeping it clean of spam and other inappropriate content, and closing off topic questions. In addition handling any custom flag that arrives.

4. A diamond will be attached to everything you say and have said in the past, including questions, answers and comments. Everything you will do will be seen under a different light. How do you feel about that?

I'm fine with that, and stand behind anything I've posted in the past. That said, I'll think twice before expressing opinions on the meta site, as this won't reflect only my own personal opinion anymore.

5. In what way do you feel that being a moderator will make you more effective as opposed to simply reaching 10k or 20k rep?

Quicker cleanup, without the need to wait for others to chime in. More tools to detect bad behavior and handle it. Also, can undo closure/deletion done by mistake.

6. What made you come to Lifehacks SE for the first time - and what made you stay?

Followed Jaydles actually and saw his famous question, then asked my first question which was about actual issue I had, and the answers I got made me realize the potential of the site.

7. What trait makes you well suited to a site that’s based on out-of-the-box thinking? Especially considering that the rules of both the site and the Stack Exchange network demand of moderators to follow and enforce said rules, which goes against the site’s core spirit of finding non-standard solutions - and which some users struggle with.

I believe I can think out-of-the-box when needed, and apply the rules even when it's not pleasant. When a rule collides with the site spirit, I'll consult with other moderators who have more experience before acting.

1. How would you deal with a user who produced a steady stream of valuable answers, but tends to generate a large number of arguments/flags from comments?

Inviting the individual to chat, would be a good way to find out what the issues are at hand. Being nice and explain the rules of the site will generally resolve any problems. Rarely is a moderator forced to take action against such individuals.

2. How would you handle a situation where another mod closed/deleted/etc. a question that you feel shouldn’t have been?

Moderators can see things differently between themselves. Inviting the other moderator to chat in order to find out his point of view on the subject matter at hand. He may be right, but then again I have asked him for further clarification.

3. In your opinion, what do moderators do?

Moderators are there to help the community. They are there to resolve problems as they pop up. Moderators are to see that the rules of the site are followed.

4. A diamond will be attached to everything you say and have said in the past, including questions, answers and comments. Everything you will do will be seen under a different light. How do you feel about that?

Having been a moderator on other sites, I now what to expect. Being nice goes a long way, especially with new individuals to the site.

5. In what way do you feel that being a moderator will make you more effective as opposed to simply reaching 10k or 20k rep?

Reputation is is only part of the equation. True that moderators have the ability to make binding decisions, but I like to see the community make their input known.

6. What made you come to Lifehacks SE for the first time - and what made you stay?

Lifehacks is one of those unique sites where individuals are encouraged to think outside the box, in order to come up with solutions to precise problems someone is experiencing.

7. What trait makes you well suited to a site that’s based on out-of-the-box thinking? Especially considering that the rules of both the site and the Stack Exchange network demand of moderators to follow and enforce said rules, which goes against the site’s core spirit of finding non-standard solutions - and which some users struggle with.

I have always enjoyed thinking outside the box. Good Lifehacks are generally easy to spot. Moderators are there to encourage everyone to follow the rules and standards of the site.