1. Promote Ownership If youth leadership is actually responsible for the running the program, (meetings, outings, the whole megillah), they must have sense of ownership. Without ownership they will not have a sense of responsibility. 2. Praise publicly, criticize privately Critique and advice are tempered by a sense of care and support and quietly offered. Praise is frequent, always overheard, and shared […]
Developing Youth Leadership
Positions of Responsibility
Get a PDF version of this infographic below. I’ve written extensively about developing youth leadership but this article focuses on how our youth leaders are selected. Before we delve into specifics let’s agree that there’s a danger of losing the distinction between suggestions, rules and regulations, and mandated practices. Any “how to” instructions should be built on understanding of the […]
Podcast 253 – Shared Expecations
When a Scout takes on a position of responsibility… … we’ll discuss and agree on a set of shared expectations, and begin what will be an open dialog for their tenure in that position. Reconciling what a Scout did or did not do before a Scoutmaster took on the role is one of the things we’ll […]
Podcast 251 – Make the most of being a Scouter
Once you become a Scouter, what’s next? What five things can you do to make the best of your opportunity as a Scouter? Whether you are just starting out, or have been around for awhile, let’s get the new year off on the right foot by thinking about making the best of our opportunities! This podcast […]
Podcast 249 – So Far, So Good!
So Far, So Good! Lot’s of catching up to do! It’s nice to be back after a two week hiatus! In this podcast I’ll tell you about my new book, So Far, So Good! and answer email questions about how to keep a vision for all age divisions of Scouting, the program changes coming this year, […]
Podcast 243 – What is the Context of Scouting?
What is the context of Scouting, and why does it matter? The game of Scouting has it’s own set of rules, it’s own playing field, or context. I discuss a couple of common questions that are answered by understanding this context. In addition we’ll discuss conflicts of interest for an Eagle board of review, whether […]
Podcast 242 -Campaign, Conduct, Camping, & Content
Campaigning, Conduct, Camping (with Webelos), and Content of troop meetings. Listen to my answer to the question: should we be teaching Scouts conflict resolution? (spoiler- yes and no!) In addition we’ll discuss campaigning for youth leadership elections, what standards apply to Webelos camping with troops, and whether or not merit badge instruction is the right content […]
The Authority of Youth Leadership.
Compel Force or oblige someone to do something. Delegate To give or commit (duties, powers, etc) to another as agent or representative. Empowered Give someone the authority or power to do something. The authority of youth leadership is not based in compelling young people to do something. The authority in youth leadership is not delegated (One […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 239 – Help!
Help! Everyone needs help, right? Most Scouters, at one time or another, find ourselves overwhelmed, discouraged and help-less. Don’t worry, you aren’t alone, and there’s a way out! See if the email answer about getting volunteers to help in this podcast helps you. In addition I’ll offer some advice about how a troop handles Eagle courts of honor, […]
Podcast 238 – Patrol Method 4
What, exactly, is the Patrol Method? Why did our founder emphasize the importance of the patrol method over all else in Scouting? In this week’s podcast the fourth of four installments that discusses how basic ideas to practically apply the patrol method. I also answer email questions on how to have Scouts form patrols, how to address bad […]
Podcast 237 – Patrol Method 3
What, exactly, is the Patrol Method? Why did our founder emphasize the importance of the patrol method over all else in Scouting? In this week’s podcast the third of four installments that discusses the typical objections raised when the patrol method is applied. Three different email questions on the theme of focusing on the individual Scout, one […]
Podcast 236 – Patrol Method 2
What, exactly, is the Patrol Method? Why did our founder emphasize the importance of the patrol method over all else in Scouting? In this week’s podcast the second of four installments that describes te adult role in applying the patrol method. I also answer an email from a Cub Den Leader and parent who is concerned […]
Lucky? Not Really.
Saw this comment today: “He’s got a bunch of older Scouts who run his troop for him, he’s lucky!” Lucky? Not at all, that’s how Scouting works. “He’s got a bunch of older Scouts…” Yes, we have a bunch of older Scouts, when I think “older” I think about any Scout over thirteen. Younger Scouts are often just as capable, […]
Podcast 235 – Patrol Method 1
Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers What, exactly, is the Patrol Method? Why did our founder emphasize the importance of the patrol method over all else in Scouting? In this week’s podcast I’ll begin a series of four installments that establishes the patrol method as the character school for our Scouts and relate a story about how […]
Leadership Development Landmarks
It’s not possible to train leaders in the classic sense by teaching theoretical information in a theoretical environment. We can’t sweep a big crowd of Scouts or Scouters together, put them in one end of the training machine, and have leaders come out the other. Developing actual leadership skill is a complex, individualized, process that only […]
Podcast 231 – Responsibility and Leadership
Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers What kind of an internal standard is the aim of our work? In this podcast I answer email questions about positions of responsibility , leadership and other subjects , plus (of course) your messages in the mailbag! Listen to Scoutmaster Podcast 231 Get The SCOUTMASTERCG APP Podcast Archive Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: […]
Hitting the wall
Marathon runners sometime experience a sudden loss of energy that they call ‘hitting the wall’, they pass through an invisible barrier and get-up-and-go gets up and leaves. Youth leaders are especially susceptible to hitting the wall, and most do at some point. Communication breaks down, nothing seems to work, what seems simple becomes hopelessly complex, frustration and feelings of […]
Podcast 227 – Outdoor Leadership
Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers Is there a difference between leadership in the outdoors and in other settings? The answer to this question and answers to email questions in this podcast along with your messages in the mailbag. Listen to Scoutmaster Podcast 227 Get The SCOUTMASTERCG APP Podcast Archive Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple […]
How do YOU Handle Mistakes?
The way I see it there are two ways to react to the consequences of mistakes we’ve made: 1. Deny, blame others, cover up, and hope nobody finds out. 2. Own up and take responsibility for the consequences. Which is the right way? If you are reading this, there’s a pretty good chance you are […]
Podcast 225 – Youth Led?
Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers What does “youth led” really mean? This week I spend some time answering two email questions that touch on youth leadership, one focuses on responsive leadership (what to do if Scouts aren’t holding up their end of the bargain) and one abut shifting a troop from adult to youth leadership. Listen […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 223 – How Scouting Works!
Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers Listen to a simple, yet significant story of how Scouting works (or how it ought to work). I’ll also answer an email about backpacking, the the whole idea of backpacking is that it’s fun (challenging, yes, but fun). Go out for a mile or two, make it easy, let the Scouts […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 221 – “Real” Responsibility
Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers In this podcast we discuss ‘real’ responsibility, answer email questions about getting folks to lend a hand with a Cub Pack and see if we can help out a new Scoutmaster. All this and your messages in the mailbag! Listen to Scoutmaster Podcast 221 Get The SCOUTMASTERCG APP Podcast Archive Podcast: Play in […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 218 – “Forming” Youth Leadership
Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers In this podcast I answer email questions about medical issues and we return to the eternal question of “forming” youth leadership (“forming” – listen to find out how funny that is!) Lend a hand to answering the favorite camping and hiking spots, your one sentence Scouting definition, and help Greg with his Wood […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 215 – Reflection
Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers We all want Scouts to reflect, and to use the product of reflection to grow and develop as useful people. Scouts are action oriented, their capacity for reflection is developing, and you have to align your expectations to their level of development. If you think about it at that age you […]
