Ten Things Adults Do to Frustrate Troop Youth Leadership.

This is not a missive from an ivory tower. The author is able to write about these ten frustrations largely because he has been guilty of all of them at one time or another -

1. Talking too much
When it is time to have your say keep it short, direct and intelligible. Scouts always appreciate brevity and concision. When they begin to show an unusual interest in the ceiling or their shoes you have talked for too long.
2. Coercion
Adults can manipulate circumstances and conversations to bring about the result they desire. Narrowly defining options or ideas can be unfairly coercive. Instead look for direction from honest discussion - Scouts can come up with simple resolutions to difficult problems when given the latitude so to do.
3. Nitpicking
Don't sweat the small stuff. Concentrate on the good. Minimize the shortcomings-celebrate the achievements.
4. Micro Management
Show scouts the point on the map that is their goal. Don't tell them how to take every step. Allow them to discover talents and abilities without stopping them every ten minutes.
5. Anger
"When angry, count ten before you speak; if very angry, a hundred." -Thomas Jefferson
Anger is a dark storm that will pass - talk to another adult first . Doing this is a good way to "count to ten". It is irresponsible and childish to unload on your Scouts.
6. Sacrificing the perfectly good to the perfect
Perfection is not our goal. Growing up and learning is a messy, unpredictable business. Don't expect perfection, expect action.
7. Treating honest mistakes as horrible crimes.
Mistakes are ineveitable, even desirable - they indicate action and growth. Few of your problems as a Scoutmaster are from deliberate premeditated disobedience or carelessness. Scouts will make mistakes in judgment and action - seize on these moments for introspection, not punishment.
8. Hovering
Scouts need space, real responsibility and autonomy. They do not need someone breathing down their necks. Maintain safety and propriety from a respectful distance.
9. Shifting standards
Don't change the rules in the middle of the game or otherwise unfairly shift some fundamental goal. Every course needs adjustment, but no one benefits from a shifting standard.
10. Usurpation
Actual responsibility for behavior, achievement and action leads to actual achievement or actual disappointment. When adults usurp this responsibility to make things easier or more predictable they compromise achievement.

Comments

[Chris]

Clarke, this is spot-on!