Ask The Guy in the Glass

Do you wrangle over what constitutes Scout Spirit, actively serving in a position of responsibility and active participation? The answer is not in numbers of camp outs, number of hours or contracts; not snap judgments or fits of temper; the answer is the guy in the glass .

Scouting is more a mirror for individual assessment and development than a measuring stick. “The feller whose verdict counts most in your life is the guy staring back from the glass.” When, at a Scoutmaster’s conference, it is time for me to sign off on Scout Spirit and Active Participation I ask the Scout for his assessment. He must evaluate himself honestly and defend that evaluation with evidence. When Scout(s) and Scoutmaster must sit down and resolve some difficulty or conflict it is time to hold up the mirror and ask the Scouts to bring themselves to account for their actions. When a Scout does not follow through on a leadership commitment he must confront the disappointment. The Scoutmaster need only ask the questions that guide the Scout towards his own reflection. The guy in the glass will accept no lie or excuse, you don’t have to be that guy, just bring him into the conversation. We all have our blind spots and misjudgments. We deeply appreciate those who can gently and reverently help us see them as others do. Our finest friends understand our actions in the context of our challenges. Our best mentors and teachers seek to reveal our strengths rather than expose our weaknesses. In many ways this is the whole job of Scoutmastership.