1. Keep Your Word. Don't make promises
you can't keep.
2. Be Fair to All. A good leader shows
no favorites. Don't allow friendships to keep you from being fair to all
members of your patrol. Know who likes to do what, and assign duties to patrol
members by what they like to do.
3. Be a Good Communicator. You don't
need a commanding voice to be a good leader, but you must be willing to step
out front with an effective "Let's go." A good leader knows how to
get and give information so that everyone understands what's going on.
4. Be Flexible. Everything doesn't
always go as planned. Be prepared to shift to "plan B" when
"plan A" doesn't work.
5. Be Organized. The time you spend
planning will be repaid many times over. At patrol meetings, record who agrees
to do each task, and fill out the duty roster before going camping.
6. Delegate. Some leaders assume that the job will
not get done unless they do it themselves. Most people like to be challenged
with a task. Empower your patrol members to do things they have never tried.
7. Set an Example. The most important
thing you can do is lead by example. Whatever you do, your patrol members are
likely to do the same. A cheerful attitude can keep everyone's spirits up.
8. Be Consistent. Nothing is more
confusing than a leader who is one way one moment and another way a short time
later. If your patrol knows what to expect from you, they will more likely
respond positively to your leadership.
9. Give Praise. The best way to get
credit is to give it away. Often a "Nice job" is all the praise
necessary to make a Scout feel he is contributing to the efforts of the patrol.
10.
Ask for Help. Don't be embarrassed to ask for help. You have many resources at
your disposal. When confronted with a situation you don't know how to handle,
ask someone with more experience for some advice and direction.