University of Scouting - Teaching the Team Method

Circle 10 University of Scouting 2012

Teaching the Team Method (Patrol Method)

·        Is it OK for a boy to fail? 

·        Is it OK for an activity to fail?

·        Is it OK for a boy lead activity to fail?

·        Should you as a leader “save” a boy from doing his responsibility if he isn’t doing it?

·        Should you as a leader “save” a boy from doing his responsibility if he is doing it but doing it “wrong”?

·        Should you as a leader “save” a poorly planned activity?

Scouting is not a pass/fail.  Earning Eagle is not pass/fail.

The Team Method definition by the BSA is:

Each Varsity Scout team is just that—a team of individuals working together and supporting one another to achieve a common goal.  Divided into squads, the team helps its members develop a sense of pride, identity and accomplishment.  Members elect from among themselves those who will lead their squads and the team.  Everyone has the role in planning programs and activities, taking part in the work and sharing in the satisfaction of accepting and fulfilling group responsibilities. 

How do we help boys run a true “boy run program” when the dynamic of a group changes minute to minute, day to day, boy to boy?  What works one day will not work the next.  You will never see a perfectly run Varsity Team when teenage boys are involved but that is OK!!!!!  Scouting is a laboratory of building up good men.  Sometimes some experiments fail but that is only short time failure!  It is more important for boys to do things for themselves instead of things being done perfectly.  Practice time, patient and persistence!

Modeling a good squad method consists of (and these are not the only ideas):

1. We personally must be disciplined to mentor young boys.  We cannot be distracted by the ever changing dynamic of a group but we also must learn to be flexible when plans change or interests are not met!  Semper Gumby – Always flexible!  You must be dedicated to serve the boys no matter what, no matter how they treat you and no matter what they do.  If you are removed as a Varsity Coach, boys should still look to you as a leader and should still come to you with the issues they have in life.
2. We as leaders must understand the “why”.  Why does the BSA do things this way or that way?  Going to Wood Badge is where I learned the real “why” when it comes to the Scouting program.  I finally found out “why”.  Scouting is a game with a purpose!  Games are supposed to be fun but we also learn things from games too!  If a boy ever asks “Why do we do it this way?” you should be prepared to tell him why.  Never be scared to tell a boy why the BSA does things a certain way or why you do things a certain way.  Boy leaders should also understand the “why”.
3. Your boys.  Each boy leader should be selected carefully.  Patrol members should be selected carefully.  Building a team like the Rangers or the Mavericks does not come over night.  It takes hard work.  It takes dedication.  Sometimes you are handed leaders and don’t have the opportunity to help select those leaders.  Practice patience.  But the ultimate goal of each group in Scouting (Troop’s patrols or Varsity’s squads) is to work effectively and efficiently.  When things don’t, your boy leaders should be ready to step in, identify the issue (or ask for help to identify the issue) and then fix the issue.
4. Leadership laced with love!  My Mission President used to use this phrase often on my mission.  If you don’t love the boys you serve, you need to look inwardly before trying to change a single thing about any boy.  You don’t always have to like each boy but you better love them!  Serve them if you don’t like or love them!  A boy leader must also learn to love the boys he serves.  He will then have their best interest at heart and always want to be prepared for them in meetings. 
5. Learn to facilitate and sit back in your “arm chair” (sometimes called arm chair leadership).  You can teach a boy more by pulling him aside after a meeting or training session to go over how it went.  Let things fall apart unless someone might get hurt or injured.  Help guide.  Don’t tell him what he should have done.  Help him figure it out.  These meetings only need to last 5 minutes and are called “stand up” meetings.  These can happen after any type of meeting ~ Scout or Church.  It could also happen before any meeting to go over what he must do to have an effective meeting.  In the end a Varsity Coach shouldn’t play a central role in any meeting whether hovering over boys telling them what to say or do OR instructing the boys on how to do a certain skill.  The best spot for a Varsity Coach is in the back of a room watching the group (learning through observing) and helping to silently encourage the boys through thumbs up or a smile.  No matter the result of any meeting, a Varsity Coach must see the positive and help the boy leader see it too.  Don’t get caught up in the small stuff.
6. Train your Youth Leaders that they have true responsibility and that they really are in charge!  If a boy leaders (Squad leader, Team Captain, etc) feels like he is really in charge and has a connection with that leadership responsibility, he will do whatever it takes to succeed.  Some of his short term failures if used in a positive light will be great learning opportunities for your leader.  Don’t just give him responsibility in name only!  Make him own it!  Don’t teach him how to do; don’t instruct him on how to do it, train him on how to do it.  Always make your youth leader shine.  Teach them to plan.
7. Teach them to share their leadership.  Some boys think they have to do it all or tell other boys to do it all and expect it to get done.  Boys who think they should do it all soon burn out and stop trying.  Those who delegate fully and don’t follow up wonder why things were not done.  You need to train your boy leaders to be somewhere in the middle.  Boys will soon learn which of the boys they can trust with an assignment.  They will soon see who their leader friends are.  A boy leader should never be scared to say “I need help.” to an adult or another boy. 
8. Other Ideas:
1. Teach “show me” leadership or EDGE based leadership.
2. Learn to not only love your boys but get them to trust you (and you should trust them).
3. Learn to communicate clearly.
4. Learn to tell a good story (also called a yarn)!  A Scout always loves a good story with a lesson “hidden” in it.
5. Good Scouters (adult and youth) are good followers.
6. Practice time, patient and persistence!

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REFERENCE:

A Scout Leader’s Guide to Youth Leadership Training – Working the Patrol Method (Faris, Knight and Wimbrough)