Leadership Participation
barry_c_runnels@MMACMAIL.JCCBI.GOV
Wed, 30 Dec 1998 10:32:06 -0600
Hi Ronald
>I have had a problem with boys accepting leadership positions. If I don't
>carefully explain what holding a leadership position means, then the Scouts
>who run for them quit when they find out that they don't get to boss the
>other guys around.
Well actually they do get to boss others around. Your may be worried they will
abuse their new elected power. And they will without training and guidance from
adults and older Scouts. Young Scouts lead the only way they know how. They boss
others around because that's all they know. Just like everything else, they have
to learn good leadership. That's what the Troop is suppose to teach them. You
have to guide them to understand that leadership is motivating the group to
accomplish common goals. What they need to understand is you don't expect them
to be perfect leaders and that you will teach them how to be a good boss or
leader. It might be that your subconsciously looking for good leaders because
it's easier all around for the Troop program. Instead look at your program of
building good Troop leadership from Scouts with no experience.
>If I do explain the requirements to them, they don't
>want the job because it involves work, even though it gives them the
>opportunity to set the Troop's agenda.
>To me, one of the advantages of the Scouting program is that it teaches
>leadership and allows the boys to lead themselves. However, it often seems
>that this is not so attractive to the boys, since they have to take time
>out from TV and video games to actually plan and make phone calls, and
>follow up on assignments. Has anyone else had this problem?
You have a common problem here. Part of the problem with many Troops is the
adults don't really allow Scouts to lead their program. The SPL knows the SM
will tell him what to say. The Quartermaster knows that an adult will direct
loading and unloading of the trailer. Scouts know when they really have control
and when they don't. In many Troops, leadership is only a stepping stone to rank
advancement. Problem with that is they only see leadership as a requirement to
be completed. I believe if you want a Troop that promotes good leadership, then
you have to build a program where the success of the Scouts program is dependent
on their good leadership.
Adults have to figure out where they want to go with the Scouts. You want the
scouts to learn leadership then you have to let them lead. To do that means
allowing the Scouts to plan the program then initiate the plan. This is very
hard for adults. I read where one leader is going to make a couple of Scouts
help the ASM plan the campout or they won't go. Why is the ASM in charge in the
first place. Shouldn't the Scouts be planning the campout with the ASM giving
guidance. You have to give the leadership to the Scouts so they want it. It's no
fun leading until the adult can stand no more and takes over. I had SM friend of
mine tell me his best ASM was planning and leading the campfire. I asked him why
an adult was doing something that the Scout clearly could do themselves. His
answer was because the adults don't know what there doing yet. That says it all.
When the adults don't understand the Aims and Methods of Scouting , they tend to
take on the program and make it what they want it to be. Usually it's what's
easiest for them. Watch the adults at your next meeting. How many times do they
correct a Scout for something they don't like. How often do they step in to fix
something. Could your adults really stand to let the Scouts run the program for
one evening. We have to learn to let the Scout perform their activity then help
them learn from their performance. To do that, we have to stay in the back
ground and then reflect with the group after the activity. Wood Badge teaches
this wonderfully.
There are many ways to encourage more leadership. If you want some ideas, send
me a note because we have tried many of them. Our program really changed when
the adults figured out that our job is to let the boys run the Troop and learn
from the mistakes. We try to become invisible. Let them learn from their
experiences. When they really feel like their performance will influence the
activity or program, then they take it very seriously because now it's FUN. It's
a slow process that takes years to develop, but it's the adults who have to
develop first, or you will never get there from here.
Letting the boys have the reins isn't easy. We have to learn how to watch them
fall, pick them up, dust them off, reflect and help them learn from their
performance, encourage them to create a new plan, set a new goal, then send them
off again. It takes couple years for Scouts to realize that "hey, the adults
really will let me try it my way!". So while your looking for ideas to promote
more leadership, look at your program and see if it really allows for the type
of leadership you want. When you do allow the Scouts to really lead the Troop,
you will find the rewords are wonderful. There is nothing like watching Scouts
run a whole campout without adult interference. Once you get in they type of
program, you will be saying "I love this Scouting Stuff."
Have a great new year.
Barry Runnels
Troop 386
Edmond OK
