Defining Leadership on ScoutmasterCG Archive

John Thurman on Scouters

Mon, 19 Jun 2017 00:00:00 +0000

John Thurman was the Camp Chief at Gilwell Park and had an important role in shaping Wood Badge training. He authored many Scouting books (his three pioneering books are great resources). In his 1950 book Pioneering Projects , he offers some reflections on the Scouter’s role.

Scouting isn’t easy to get at first, and it never has been. The “small voice” inside us says “this will be great fun, let me at it!”. Our success as Scouters hinges on what we do next: John Thurman It will be a poor day in Scouting when any Scouter or Scout can pick up a book and all he has to do to achieve success in some subject or activity is to copy exactly what he finds in a book, because Scouting is not like that.

Leadership, Power, Responsibility, and Service

Tue, 06 Jun 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Anyone who takes on a position of responsibility as a leader will feel pretty self-important at first.

After all, you have been chosen, or you stepped in when no one else did. It’s a big ego boost to have a title, to have people follow your directions. That’s a pretty heady feeling isn’t it… all that power?

Power scratches an itch, and some leaders never quite lose their addiction to power. We can even convince ourselves that we are something special, someone who is deserving of respect and recognition. A lot of times we don’t like to be challenged or questioned – after all we are the leader , right? We know better!

Limitations of Scout Leader Training

Sun, 03 Jul 2016 00:00:00 +0000

No doubt – Scout leader training is invaluable, as are the selfless folks who volunteer to train their fellow Scouters (thank you if you do!) I recommend you take advantage of every training opportunity possible.

Trained Scouters are more likely to do good, and less likely to do harm.

Scout leader training is focused on technique, facts, and procedures; all admittedly valuable things to know, but training has limitations.

There are limited opportunities for developing an understanding of the concepts that inform the techniques, facts, and procedures – to gain the knowledge that enables us to resolve the hundreds of interesting questions Scouting poses.

B-P's Blog - Out of Patience

Sun, 12 Jul 2015 00:00:00 +0000

During his lifetime Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the worldwide Scouting movement, wrote many books and articles directed to Scouters. Here’s a selection from his writings.

“I’m Out of Patience with You” THAT’S a good old English phrase when you come to analyse it — seldom heard nowadays except when Mrs. Washtub is smacking her boy. But it means a lot — and patience is a bad thing to be out of. If you’re “out of” food you starve; if you’re “out of” temper you make a fool of yourself; but if you’re “out of” patience you may ruin your career.

First Principles for New Scoutmasters

Mon, 25 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000

If I could speak to myself 25 years ago when I became a Scoutmaster here is what I would say: Learn as much as you can from training and reading.

Study these invaluable references: Guide to Safe Scouting , Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures Manual , Insignia Guide , Scoutmaster’s Handbook and Baden Powell’s Aids to Scoutmastership .

Memorize the introduction to the Scout Handbook . You will encounter any number of cynical old Scouters, loads of misinformation and a few real renegades who have recreated Scouting in their own image. Do not admire them, do not imitate them, do not believe much of what they say.

Shackleton’s Board of Review

Sun, 24 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Sir Ernest Shackleton’s board of review for the rank of World Explorer assembled one evening and began reading over his application and supporting documentation. He earned all of his merit badges on Captain Scott’s Antarctic Discovery Expedition in 1901–04, and clocked his leadership tenure as the leader of British Antarctic Expedition in 1907–09. For his World Explorer project Shackleton had proposed “The Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition”. The project was enthusiastically approved, and it’s progress carefully followed. The Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition began with great promise but, because of Shackleton’s miscalculations, ended in great difficulty after taking a great deal longer than he had planned. His project report was a more a tale of endurance than success. In the end it was clear Shackleton’s project failed to reach the goal he had proposed. The Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition was to have made the first land crossing of the Antarctic continent from sea to sea.

Justice and Force

Sat, 23 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Pascal’s ideas are important for anyone in a position with the force of authority. The authority of Scoutmasters, parents, managers, and leaders is only legitimate when it is just.

Justice, force.–It is proper that what is just should be obeyed; it is necessary that what is strongest should be obeyed.

Justice without force is helpless; whereas the use of force without justice is tyrannical.

Justice without force is futile, for there shall always be the wicked; but force without justice is always to be condemned. It follows that we must always combine justice and force and, to this end, what is just must always be made strong, or what is strong just. –Blaise Pascal (June 19, 1623 – August 19, 1662) From Wikipedia ; Educated by his father French mathematician, physicist, and religious philosopher Blaise Pascal was a child prodigy.

Scouting and Outdoor Leadership

Fri, 22 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Is there really a difference between outdoor leadership and leadership in other situations? To my mind just about everything we do in Scouting hinges on how you answer that question. We are familiar with business or management-style leadership in our professional and business lives.

Outdoor (or Scouting) leadership is different and understanding this difference is key to being an effective Scouter. Why do corporations invest time and resources in things like ropes courses and leadership retreats?

Assume Goodwill

Thu, 28 Nov 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Sometimes all we need to solve our biggest problems is a slight shift in attitude. What would things be like if our first assumption was goodwill? The patrol leader who forgot to do something may have honestly forgotten to do it, not just ignored their responsibility.

I forget all kinds of things!

Assume goodwill. The Scout that earned three merit badges last month may just have worked hard to achieve something rather than trying to get around your standards.

Adaptive Leadership Skills

Sat, 12 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000

The Center for Creative Leadership identifies seven critical leadership skills:

Leading by motivating directing, delegating, managing Strategic planning. Managing change. Inspiring commitment. Resourcefulness. Persevering under adverse conditions. Being a quick learner.

I am particularly drawn to the adaptive skills listed; managing change, resourcefulness, persevering under adverse conditions, and being a quick learner.

Scouting plans are often prone to change because we always deal with the vagaries of weather, participation, and other unexpected changes to our plans. The Scout motto ‘be prepared’ is an encouragement to develop adaptive skills. When asked ‘prepared for what?’

Process Intelligence

Sat, 12 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Gather wood, prepare tinder, kindling and fuel.

Strike a match (maybe two) and we make fire.

Preparing, building, lighting and maintaining a fire involves interdependent skills, knowledge and actions that constitute a process.

Comprehending and executing a process requires process intelligence.

Process intelligence is a combination of experience, vision, persistence and inspiration; all fundamental leadership skills.

Experience - Confidence when covering familiar ground or in inventing solutions when in unknown waters.

Ten Truths about Leadership

Sat, 05 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +0000

You Make a Difference.

Before you lead others you have to believe you will have a positive impact on others.

Credibility Is the Foundation of Leadership.

People are willing to follow someone who know, express and and consistently follow their values.

Honesty and integrity are vital.

Values Drive Commitment. One can only commit completely to work they believe in, that matches their values.

Focusing on the Future Sets Leaders Apart.

The Rules

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +0000

From an (anonymous) list of Troop Rules posted on the web: Troop Chairs chairs are a privilege, not a right.

Bringing chairs to a campout will be decided at the discretion of the Scoutmaster.

Abuse of this privilege results in forfeiture of a camp chair. Camp chairs are defined as a bag chair, or folding chair. Not a lounge chair with foot rests, recliner, or rocking chair.

I would be curious to know what set of circumstances precipitated this particular ‘rule’.

Fifteen Thoughts for Scout Leaders

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Here’s fifteen thoughts for Scout leaders that I hope you find helpful.

Trust the Program. 100 years of proven results – Follow it! Seek to understand and embrace changes.

Conduct Activities that are Age Appropriate.

Respond to the specific needs of each developmental stage: don’t push Scouts into activities for older, or hold them back in activities for younger Scouts 3. Be prepared to work with different family standards and expectations. The way you were raised and the way you raise your children aren’t the only ‘right’ way.

Phases of Leadership Development

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 00:00:00 +0000

In my experience there are five basic phases in the process of leadership development. All leaders (youth and adult) pass through these phases – nobody skips a phase, nor do we want to. Each is indispensable to the process. As I was discussing plans for the next few months with our senior patrol leader (he’s at the halfway point of his term).

I got the impression that he had entered the ‘Heroism’ phase of leadership development.

Leadership Lessons From the Shackleton Expedition

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Earnest Shackleton set out to cross the Antarctic on foot in 1914. When his ship Endurance became trapped and subsequently destroyed Shackleton and his crew spent the next two years rescuing themselves.

Shackleton’s leadership has been closely studied in recent years as an example of adaptation to tremendously difficult circumstances. We’re unlikely to experience anything near the physical privation, harshness and length of Shackleton’s misfortunes as Scout leaders. What we will share is the mental and spiritual challenge to adapt, to seize opportunities and to make good.

Solitude and Leadership

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Essayist and Critic William Deresiewicz delivered a lecture to the plebe class at the United States Military Academy at West Point in October 2009 concerning Solitude and Leadership . What follows is my condensed version of his key ideas: … Solitude is one of the most important necessities of true leadership. … (Generally when we) talk about training leaders (we mean) educating people who make a big name for themselves in the world, people with impressive titles,… People who make it to the top.

Scoutmaster's Mission Statement

Mon, 20 Feb 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Frankly mission statements (and the other magic spells of the management alchemists) make me a little nauseous. As a reference point, an expression of intentions and goals, they are useful reminders to stay the course. Sun Tzu’s observation is a succinct expression of good leadership and hardly needs elaboration: As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence. The next best, the people honor and praise. The next, the people fear; and the next, the people hate. …When the best leader’s work is done the people say, ‘We did it ourselves!’ To lead the people , walk behind them. - Sun Tzu But I elaborated anyway; As a Scoutmaster I will; Create and nurture an environment for learning leadership and developing a sense of direction.

Attack or Opportunity

Thu, 01 Dec 2005 00:00:00 +0000

As a director of a Scout Camp I was familiar with inspections. Our kitchen is inspected by the Health Department, our pool is inspected by the local municipality, our camp is inspected by a national inspection team from the BSA and our own internal health and safety committee, our staff conducts daily inspections of campsites.

Inspections are necessarily invasive: someone enters another’s domain to comment and critique on how well standards are being maintained and suggest or require improvements.

Management or Leadership?

Tue, 01 Nov 2005 00:00:00 +0000

There is a difference between a manager and a leader.

Management is maintenance of a system, leadership is guiding a group through a process. When management is over-emphasized we miss the higher elements of leadership: empathy, guidance, flexibility, adaptability.

Concentrating on the goal is important but we should not miss the process. On the surface scouting is goal oriented but it is all about process. If the goal is the attainment of a rank or merit badge as an end in itself good management dictates that the process of attaining it should be as efficient as possible. If the goal is developing skill, competence and maturity the efficiency of the process is immaterial to the effectiveness of the process.