Patrol Leadership

How to be an Effective Leader

Part of the Leader's role in encouraging the developing of his/her members is dependent on his/her example - what he/she is as a person. He/she creates the "atmosphere" of the group for which he/she is responsible. Beyond that, what he/she does determines the effectiveness of his/her leadership.

However many situation arise demanding "leadership" from the most appropriate person present, who may or may not be called "Leader". Thus it is helpful to adopt a broader picture of leadership, applied to whomever is called upon to "lead" at a particular time.

Consider a typical situation. The Patrol have decided to go hiking in a month's time. Jim is the one most experienced in hiking and is accepted by the others as "Leader", for this activity. How does he/she set about it?

He/she probably gets the group together to discuss the weekend. What do they want to do? which area perhaps? Having taken a decision on the task, the/ must then plan how to achieve it. This will involve the whole group. Jim will ensure they are working together as a team, and that each individual is fully involved and wants to make the weekend a success.

An activity can be considered in this way. The Leader's job is to ensure that these three areas are properly dealt with - the needs of the task , the group and each individual. It will be helpful to consider each of these in more detail.

The Task

What exactly is the group trying to do? Then, how can it be achieved? What are the alternative methods? Shall we go by minibus, or train, or several cars? what equipment will be required? What will the weather be like? What are the rules in Safety in the Hills? ...and so on.

Afterwards - was it successful? Could it have been improved? Is there any action that needs to be taken as a result? How often are the same mistakes repeated through failure to carry out and evaluation and apply the lessons learned?

 

The Group

They have come together through their common interest - a Patrol hike. If they are to play a full part in ensuring the success of the activity they must feel it is "their" expedition or activity. This is, perhaps, one of the most important tasks of the Leader. He/she does this, for example, by ensuring they do the planning - he/she just makes sure it's done. An encouraging word here and there, a casual question, is often all that is required . In other words, he/she shares the Leadership with them and the decisions are not his/her alone. In planning the weekend, Jim must know what the capabilities of each member are, i.e. the total resources of the Group. He/she must make sure that full use is made of these . During the weekend itself, he/she will see that everyone plays his/her intended part, he/she will co-ordinate the group as required.

In these various ways the Leader makes sure that the group works together as a team.

 

The Individual

How about each individual in the Group? He/she must know exactly what he/she is going to do, and preferably why. The Leader must then communicate this to him without misunderstanding. He/she has feelings and requires encouragement - Jim must treat him as a person, not taking him for granted, but being aware of his/her feelings characteristics and needs. He/she may lack certain skills ( for example in camping) so the Leader must help him to develop the either himself or by using someone else. He/she may have problems which only the Leader can help him solve. He/she will do this by talking with him and getting him to think them through for himself.

Each individual will be affected by the Leader's personality - what he/she is. The Leader' s example must, therefore, be the right one. How he/she responds, perhaps, if there is a minor accident during the weekend, will often determine the reactions of the other members of the group. If he/she panics, they will do so, too. So remember what was outlined above, and be the correct example.

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