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A Boy
Scout Troop is actually run by its boy
leaders. With the guidance of the
Scoutmaster and his assistants, they plan the program, conduct Troop
Meetings, and provide leadership among their peers. From the
time a boy first joins Scouting, he receives leadership training. Patrol
Leaders are elected by their peers to six-month terms. As Scouts mature
in the Troop, they become directly responsible for the development of the
younger Scouts. The Troop is led by its elected Senior
Patrol Leader, who leads meetings and campouts. The
Patrol Leaders Council (PLC), which is made up of the Senior Patrol
Leader, Patrol Leaders, and several other Youth Leaders should have been
leading your Troop: planning the Troop Meetings and campouts. For
Scouts above First Class, leadership and service are more important than
earning merit
badges. Leadership
Development is one of Scouting's methods. The Boy Scout program encourages boys to learn and
practice leadership skills. Every Scout has the opportunity to participate in
both shared and total leadership situations. Understanding the concepts of
leadership helps a Scout accept the leadership role of others and guides him
toward the citizenship aim of Scouting. Developing
leadership skills within the Scout membership is an essential part of the
Troop’s mission. And the only way to learn leadership is to practice it by
holding leadership responsibilities. Scouts are expected to serve in
leadership positions in the Troop or in their Patrol, in order for the Troop
to conduct business, and as a requirement in the Star, Life, and Eagle Scout
ranks. Tips for Being a Good
Leader
1. Keep Your Word. Don't make
promises you can't keep. 2. Be Fair to All. A good leader
shows no favorites. Don’t allow friendships to keep you from being fair to
all members of your Troop. Know who likes to do what, and assign duties to
Scouts by what they like to do. 3. Be a Good
Communicator.
You don't need a commanding voice to be a good leader, but you must be
willing to step out front with an effective "Let's go." A good
leader knows how to get and give information. He helps his followers
understand when they are doing something that does not help the group accomplish
the goal and he gives them guidance on how to do the right thing. Often
when Scouts aren’t doing what the leader wants, it is because the leader did
not do a very good job of explaining the task to them. 4. Be Flexible. A leader is a
problem solver. No matter how well an activity is planned, there will
be things that don’t go according to plan. When problems arise, you
must consider all available information and make a decision on how to resolve
that problem. If it is not safe or practical to follow the plan, you
may need to revise the plan, or even redefine the final goals. 5. Be Organized. The time you
spend planning will be repaid many times over. At meetings, record who agrees
to do each task, and fill out the duty roster before going camping. Make sure
that the Scouts you’re leading on outings are safe and have sufficient food
and water to remain healthy and productive. Make sure they have the
proper training and tools to do their tasks. 6. Delegate. Some leaders
assume that the job will not get done unless they do it themselves, but this
is not leadership. The leader coordinates all the activities of others to
make sure the final goal is reached. He considers everyone’s talents
and decides which tasks each member is given, and then makes sure they
understand their assignment. The leader takes care of his team. 7. Set an Example. The most
important thing you can do is lead by example. Whatever you do, your Patrol
members are likely to do the same. A cheerful attitude can keep everyone's
spirits up. 8. Be Consistent. Nothing is more
confusing than a leader who is one way one moment and another way a short
time later. If your Patrol knows what to expect from
you, they will more likely respond positively to your leadership. 9. Give Praise. The leader gets
the job done and keeps the group together. Getting the job done is
fairly easy to understand. Keeping the group together means you help
the group to enjoy the activity, feel appreciated for their efforts, and earn
a sense of pride in the accomplishments of the group. A leader
continually encourages his followers and gives them positive feedback on what
they do well. Often a "Nice job" is all the praise necessary
to make a Scout feel he is contributing to the group efforts. 10. Ask for Help. Don't be
embarrassed to ask for help. You have many resources at your disposal. When
confronted with a situation you don't know how to handle, ask someone with
more experience for some advice and direction. A good leader will also
consider advice and suggestions from others, but in the end, the leader must
make the final decisions. He will listen to the Troop’s Adult Leaders
and Parents because they have many years of experience to share.
However, be careful that the well-meaning Adults don’t lead anything that you
are responsible for. During activities where an Adult's skill or
knowledge is required, the Adults often tend take over the leadership
role. Let them know that you appreciate their guidance and suggestions,
but respectfully remind them that you are the leader of your assignment,
project, Patrol or Troop. Leadership
is a very rewarding activity. As the leader, you should feel a sense of
pride for what your team accomplished under your guidance. A well-led
activity is also rewarding for those who follow. In the end, the goal
is reached and the team feels good about their collective
accomplishment. The leadership skills you have learned in Scouting and
developed by the time you complete your Eagle
Project will serve you throughout your life. |