What is Leadership?

Leading the way... What does that mean?

Think about being a Cub Scout. You came to den meetings and did a lot of different and fun things. But who decided what to do and who planned the activities? The Den Leaders right? Sports teams are a lot of fun, too. But who decides who plays what position, who's on the starting lineup and when to substitute? The coach, right?

There is one thing that makes Scouting different from all other youth groups. Do you know what it is? Well, it is not the uniform. Every soccer, basketball, and baseball team has a uniform. It is not the fun activities. There are a lot of other things that are fun. And it certainly isn't cleaning dirty pots and pans on a campout.!!

What makes Scouting special is that YOU make the decisions! That's right! YOU run the troop. Baden-Powell made it very plain in Aids to Scoutmastership when he wrote:

"The best progress is made in those Troops where power and responsibility are really put into the hands of the Patrol Leaders."

This is real decision-making power. And no it's not just Patrol Leaders. All of the troop leadership positions have a hand in making the Troop run. As a troop leader you will:

Plan and run troop meetings,
Pick troop outings, where to camp, what to do,
Plan advancement opportunities for all troop members
Select High-Adventure programs
Determine troop policy
Help other Scouts along the trail to Eagle.

Sound cool? It really is! The adults are there to provide support but YOU will be making the decisions. Because being a leader is more than just sewing on a patch we have put together job descriptions for the troop leadership positions. They will give you a good idea of what each job is all about and what you will be required to do. Here's how to be considered for a position. First read the job descriptions, qualifications, and job responsibilities. Then decide what you want to do and talk it over with your parents. You can also talk it over with other Scouts who have served in that position. Finally, get a troop job application form, fill it out, have your parent(s) read and sign it and turn it in. So, are you ready to "Lead the way"? We sure hope so!

Tips for Being a Good Leader

Keep Your Word. Don't make promises you can't keep.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.