Some new class material added November 27, 2002

Fellow Scouters are sending me new ideas all the time. I'll be sharing the new stuff with you soon



LEADERSHIP'S BOTTOM LINE

I am always researching new ideas regarding leadership concepts and often think about how I can change our course to keep it fresh and to find new and different ways of talking about the material we cover in the course. We all know about effective listening, communication and empathy as major components to successful leadership. I think there's one more important dynamic that shouldn't be over looked. One's ability to get along well with others. I would think that would be one of the most important elements in successful leadership.
Wouldn't you respond better to instructions or a directive coming from some you like? I think that you really need to be a friend first and a leader later. One of the fundamental things we try to teach our boys in the Troop is how important a 'newcomer' is, for example. By making him feel welcome as quickly as possible is simply setting the stage for making him feel that he has friends here in this place. He immediately responds better and faster and blends into the existing scheme with relative ease.
I think the same thing applies to everyone in the group. Everyone is different. Personalities, opinions, personal habits etc. Just like we talk about the different styles of leadership. We're really talking about people's different personalities. Even if people in a group are very different from one another there are times when everyone must work together to accomplish the same task.
Be their friend and they will let you lead them and feel good about it. Be their enemy and they may let you lead them but will hold you in contempt behind your back.

GM/Troop 659 7/3/02.

Much of the material on this page has been adapted from the New Patrol Leader's Handbook

The Norwegian Waddle Race
This very neat team-building idea was sent to me by a fellow Scouter. We plan on using it at out upcoming Junior Leader Training Graduation Weekend this June. Here's a text description of how it works:

EQUIPMENT - for each team of 5. Two 12ft spars - One 6ft spat. Three 18 ft ropes for lashing and four 18ft guide ropes.
ACTION:
Teams lash two long spars onto shear legs to form a cross-piece. (Use square lashings at all three points) Tie four guide ropes to top of shears. Raise shears. Four Scouts keep shears upright. One Scout steps onto the cross-piece and waddles along by lifting butts of shear legs alternately and walking forward.
SCORING:
First team to waddle 30 ft wins.

If we pull this off correctly, I'll look forward to adding actual photos of the event on the Team Building Photo Page.

I had a great time at out Greater Niagara Frontier Council's University of Scouting on March 9. I had the pleasure of sharing information about our special format of Troop JLT to an audience of almost 40 Scouters. It was also nice to see about 5 or 6 youth including a Troop senior patrol leader who previously attended the Council's JLTC. I hope that all interested parties visit this site often and "steal all you can".

Utilizing the Norwegian Waddle at our JLT Graduation Campout

At our JLT camp in early June, we'll be featuring an exercise called 'The ultimate lashings demo'. They won't realize it at the time but the candidates will actually be learning the proper lashing for the Norwegian Waddle.

Later when they perform the exercise, the winning Patrol will earn to the right to enter the campfire circle at the Saturday night graduation fire.
__________
(The following is a class I developed using the New Patrol Leader's Handbook Pg. 8. Also a reading of Pg. 12 can be utilized for the class as well:

WHAT IS EXPECTED
OF ME AS A LEADER
IN THE TROOP?

Whether you are a Patrol Leader, Staff Member or just a Junior - Leader - Trained Scout in our Troop, other Scouts, your Patrol and Scoutmaster are counting on you to live up to some clear expectations:

* Be more responsible for taking notes at Scout Meetings and Patrol Leader's Council meetings so you can help with constant communication among your Patrol or Staff members.
* Play a key role in your Patrol or Staff in leading and evaluating Patrol and Troop activities. (Why do we critique every campout?) *
* Help the Patrol prepare to participate in ALL Troop activities. (Campouts, fund raisers, service projects)
* Learn about the abilities of other Patrol members and fully involve them in Patrol & Troop activities by assigning them specific tasks & responsibilities.
* Attend Troop Junior Leader Training while continuing to work on advancement.
* Encourage Patrol Members to complete advancement requirements.
* Set a good example by having a positive attitude, wearing the uniform, showing Patrol Spirit and expecting the best from yourself and others.
* Devote the time necessary to be an effective leader.
* Work with others in the Troop to make the Troop go!
* Live by the Scout Oath & Law.
* Solicit ideas and concerns from the Patrol so they have input to the planning of the operation of the Patrol & Troop.


*Pg. 12 - The Patrol Leader Handbook (Read beginning with the words: "It is a good idea..."

The following class is based on material from the new Patrol Leader's Handbook Pg's 10 & 11:
USING PEOPLE AS A RESOURCE

PEOPLE are the most valuable resource you have at your disposal

The most experienced leaders of our Troop is your Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters and the Senior Patrol Leader. All of them can offer guidance and support as you learn how to lead.

You probably have seen other Scouts serving as Patrol Leaders. As a leader of one of the Patrols making up a Troop, you will be working alongside several other current and past Patrol Leaders. Their successful methods of leadership can serve as examples of what may work for you too. Feel free to ask experienced Patrol Leaders how they handle different situations.


In learning how to Know & Use your resources, think of the leaders and other people you respect to offer you help. You can depend on other leaders in the Troop to support you in the following ways:

+ THEY'RE AVAILABLE TO HELP ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS
+ THEY'LL PROVIDE DIRECTION, COACHING, SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEADER TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
+ THEY'LL LISTEN TO YOUR IDEAS
+ THEY WILL BE FAIR
+ THEY WILL SERVE AS GOOD EXAMPLES
+ IF YOU ASK FOR IT, THEY WILL OFFER ADVICE
+ THEY WILL BACK YOU ON REASONABLE LEADERSHIP DECISIONS

You're not out there alone. For every infantry soldier in the field there are many support and back-up people behind him to help make his job successful. In some ways, you have the same situation. Don't ever be afraid or second guess yourself when you need help or are unsure about making a decision when you lead. The leaders in the Troop will guide and support you.

(Again, from the New Patrol Leader's Handbook, this material is adapted from pg's 13 through 16)

Creative problem solving


GOOD LEADERS UNDERSTAND CLEARLY THAT WHEN THEY TAKE ON THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THEIR POSITION, THEY WILL BE EXPECTED TO BE ON JOB 24 HOURS A DAY.
THE JOB IS A LEADER IS CONSTANT


Handling constant change well is best done when a leader is able to do the following:












IN ORDER FOR A LEADER TO KNOW HOW TO REACT, HE MUST KNOW WHAT IT IS HE IS REACTING TO. WITHOUT THAT KNOWLEDGE, MISTAKES ARE MADE VERY QUICKLY.

ANALYZING SITUATIONS

 WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE SITUATION?
 WHAT DO YOU SEE? WHAT DO YOU HEAR?
 HOW ARE THEY INTERACTING? WHAT IS THE MOOD OF THE PARTICIPANTS?
 WHAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE SITUATION? WHY?
 HOW CAN YOU BE SURE? WHAT ARE THE CONFIRMABLE FACTS?
 IS THAT THE ONLY POSSIBLE SITUATION? IF NOT, WHAT ARE

The Characteristics of being a good leader

- Keep Your Word - Don't make promises that you cannot, or do not intend to keep.

-Be fair To All -A really good leader doesn't show favorites. Work at not allowing friendships to get in the way of treating all members of the Patrol equally. Recognize who likes to do what & assign responsibilities accordingly.

-Communicate - You'llbe hearing a lot about Communication and its importance in successful leadership. A good leader knows how to give and get information so that everyone understands. YOU NEED TO BE A GOOD LISTENER. Relating to your fellow Scouts will help you guide them in the right direction. Asking questions will help the 'Listener' understand better and help formulate his own thoughts, ideas & solutions.

-Be Flexible - We also call this "Expect The Unexpected". Meetings, campout & other activities will not always go as planned. Be open to new opportunities and be willing to shift to a back-up plan if original expectations change.

-Be Organized - Spending time on meeting & campout plans will result in a better experience 100% of the time.

-Delegate - One of the greatest strengths of a good leader is the willingness to empoer others to accomplish all they can. Most people like to be challenged. Encourage Patrol Members to do things they can do well and help increase their knowledge and confidence by having them take on tasks they never tried before.

-Set the Example - Whatever you do, the Scouts around you are likely to do the same.

-Be Consistent - Nothing is more confusing than a leader who is one way one moment and the opposite a short time later.

-Give Praise - Offer honest praise whenever you can. Simply saying, "Nice job"!can go a long way.

Ask For Help - Don't be embarrassed to ask questions or draw on the many resources available to you.

-Have Fun - Your joy & enthusiasm will spread to other Scouts & can energize the activities of your Patrol!


There are 3 basic goals of Leadership:





 KEEPING THE MORALE OF YOUR PEOPLE UP & KEEPING THEIR RESPECT OF YOU:

Would you enjoy having to ‘listen’ to the leader you don’t respect? Building trust & respect in Scouting has a lot to do with strengthening and maintaining personal relationships. Most Troops are a small tightly-knit group of people who see a lot of each other and who live together in camp quite frequently. Imagine how much easier leadership would be if you were suddenly thrown into that position among people who respect you.

 ORGANIZING YOUR PEOPLE TO DO THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF WORK WITH THE MINIMUM ENERGY AND EFFORT:

A good way to achieve this leadership goal is by constantly reviewing skills and procedures. “Repetition is the mother of all learning”. If you often set up and strike tents the job will be that much easier in the field. You also need to manage-the-goal by trying to choose the right people for the job who you think are in the right mood at that time.

 MAKING DECISIONS

This is something we have already reviewed. But think about how effective getting the task done as a leader if you can make everything fall into place. First, start by EARNING the respect of others, then rely on the right people for the right jobs. Then attack the task and move forward.

It sounds easy, but it is if you keep all of these things in mind.

The Characteristics of being a good leader

 Keep Your Word – Don’t make promises that you cannot, or do not intend to keep.

 Be fair To All – A really good leader doesn’t show favorites. Work at not allowing friendships to get in the way of treating all members of the Patrol equally. Recognize who likes to do what & assign responsibilities accordingly.

 Communicate – You’ll be hearing a lot about Communication and its importance in successful leadership. A good leader knows how to give and get information so that everyone understands. YOU NEED TO BE A GOOD LISTENER. Relating to your fellow Scouts will help you guide them in the right direction. Asking questions will help the ‘listener’ understand better and help formulate his own thoughts, ideas & solutions.

 Be Flexible – We also call this “Expect The Unexpected”. Meetings, campout & other activities will not always go as planned. Be open to new opportunities and be willing to shift to a back-up plan if original expectations change.

 Be Organized – Spending time on meeting & campout plans will result in a better experience 100% of the time.

 Delegate – One of the greatest strengths of a good leader is the willingness to empoer others to accomplish all they can. Most people like to be challenged. Encourage Patrol Members to do things they can do well and help increase their knowledge and confidence by having them take on tasks they never tried before.

 Set the Example – Whatever you do, the Scouts around you are likely to do the same.

 Be Consistent – Nothing is more confusing than a leader who is one way one moment and the opposite a short time later.

 Give Praise – Offer honest praise whenever you can. Simply saying, ”Nice job”! can go a long way.

 Ask For Help – Don’t be embarrassed to ask questions or draw on the many resources available to you.

 Have Fun – Your joy & enthusiasm will spread to other Scouts & can energize the activities of your Patrol!