Hitting the Wall

Marathon runners sometime experience a sudden loss of energy that they call 'hitting the wall'. The race is going well  until one seems to pass through an invisible barrier and get-up-and-go gets up and leaves.

Scoutmasters and their youth leadership may have a similar experience when communication breaks down, goals become fuzzy and nothing seems to work. Otherwise capable and energetic leaders may encounter a simple setback that drains their enthusiasm - a common experience; especially for developing youth leaders.

Given the responsibility for an aspect of the Troop program youth leaders (and adults for that matter) often find that what seemed simple becomes hopelessly complex. Youth leadership is especially susceptible to growing frustrated, feeling inadequate, and subsequently giving up. They have hit the wall. Normally their first reaction is minimizing the importance of the task they were given and making only a token effort.

When the inadequacy of their preparation comes to light (more often than not at a point too late to do anything about it) the reaction of their fellow leaders may make them reluctant to take on any other responsibility in the future.

First the wall, followed by frustration, disappointment, and topped off by a negative reaction. Such a course of events will discourage even the most energetic leadership.

We can't avoid the wall - we are all going to hit it. We can minimize the resulting troubles. First we have to recognize that the wall exists and have some idea of where it is- forewarned is forearmed. Unlike a marathon runner Scout leaders aren't running on their own; we have a team to support us. When a youth leader takes on a responsibility it is incumbent on the Scoutmaster and his assistants to help them define the task, point out the resources and offer lots of support. We mustn't do it for them, but we need to let them know that there are walls out there and be ready to lend a hand when they hit one.