Scouters: Managers or Leaders?

Peter F. Drucker claimed that, ”Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” 

As members of a volunteer organisation it is very easy to get lost in the Procedures, Rules and Regulations, and in so doing lose sight of the objective – as scouters this is easy for us as we have it defined for us as the contribution we make to the physical, intellectual and spiritual development of the youth in our care to become useful and contributing members of society. 

To that end when you plan and execute your next pack or troop meeting, do you try to develop a plan that has all of the elements you were train about on your warrant course, that has a formal opening and close, a game followed by a training exceciese, or do you look at the kids in your troop or pack and say what do they need and how can I best deliver them the experience that will give them the skills and growth opportunities to use those skills?

The former is management and the latter is leadership.  Your challenge as a scouter is to rise above the mediocre and deliver the products in the kids in your group.