The Patrol Leader's Notebook

5. Leading the Patrol

A famous newspaperman once asked the question: 'What is it that really makes a person a leader? Is it integrity, superior knowledge or great strength? Yes, it is something of these things. But what really makes a person a leader is that he has followers'.

You nave been elected by your Patrol, so they are obviously ready to follow you. They will continue to do this with enthusiasm if you live up to their expectations - so now it is up to you.

How do you go about doing this?

Here is a 3-step plan to successful leadership which can help you.

Step 1: Know what it is you plan to achieve

Step 2: Communicate your plans and motivate your Patrol

Step 3: Make it happen

Step 1: Know what it is you plan to achieve.

'Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world'. (Quote from Joel Barker.)

The one common feature of all the great leaders in history (and today) is that they have a vision for their Organisation, or business, or team; and the really successful ones have been passionate and enthusiastic about their vision.

The vision comes from the leader. Clearly you will listen to your Patrol members and your Troop Scouters and other people important in the life of the Patrol, but YOU will have to decide on the vision. What is it you are planning to achieve during your time as Patrol Leader? What do you want your Patrol to be while you are Patrol Leader? There is no doubt that if you have a clear, well-chosen vision, and pursue it with energy and enthusiasm there is a very good chance of achieving it. Did you ever hear the words of the popular song:

'You gotta have a dream
If you don't have a dream
How you gonna make a dream come true?'

Step 2: Communicate your vision

You will need to communicate your vision to your Patrol members - if it is a good vision, and one with which they can agree - by talking to and for them, and explaining clearly and with persuasion what you see as being possible it will become the PATROL VISION - and now you are on your way to success.

Each person is motivated by different reasons. To help your Patrol members retain their enthusiasm and remain energetic in achieving the vision you will need to find out what makes each of them 'tick' - and appeal to that wish. Of course your own enthusiasm as example will do a lot.

Step 3: Making it happen

Lots of people dream and never do more than that. The one feature that is true of all successful leaders is that they get things to happen. The 3-circle model of leadership taught on PLTU courses will help you to do this. It is a matter of realising that there are needs to be met in working towards success.

If you as a leader give these three areas of need your attention, you will be working towards success.

TASK

GROUP

INDIVIDUAL

The Task needs: like planning and organising the job to be done and communicating these plans.

The Group needs: the needs your team has as a whole - each person being involved (sharing leadership); the use of the talents in the team; the development of team spirit.

The Individual needs of each member of your Patrol - to be recognised as worthwhile people, helped where necessary, given encouragement and made to feel important.

Next: Getting the best out of other people