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Trusting Boy Leaders
By trust is not meant the trust that hides behind the corner to see if Johnnie is doing what he was supposed to do, but the trust that takes for granted that John will do his utmost, to the best of his ability, to fulfill his responsibility. As Baden-Powell says, "To get the best results, you must give the leader real, free-handed responsibility. If you only give partial responsibility, you will get partial results."
And as the job goes on, praise your boy leaders when they fail after a hard effort, make them feel your disappointment when they haven’t whole-heartedly tried. Trust them, through everything TRUST THEM—and they will come out in the end better leaders—and better trained for citizenship.
Naturally, on the other hand, the trust must be within reason. To entrust a boy with a job or responsibility he is not able to carry reflects upon the Scoutmaster. The burden must be fitted to the capacity of the carrier, and only increased as he grows strong enough to accept it through the training given him by his Scoutmaster.
Train ‘em, Trust ‘em, Let ‘em Lead!
The last point is of tremendous importance. Let them lead in practically everything. Let them work out their own problems, interfere as little as possible—but be ever ready to give wise guidance—not when you think they need it, but when they seek it. Keep in mind that unwarranted, ill-advised interference discourages leadership and that those boy leaders of yours are "learning by doing." Mistakes, some of them serious, are bound to be made; therefore, be ever ready with a kindly and friendly spirit to urge them to try again.
Help them occasionally with constructive criticism. But do your coaching on the sidelines always, never in front of the Patrols.
And then, when the Patrol Leader succeeds in his job, praise him for it. Commendation which is justified and not overdone is an absolute necessity. Such statements of approval should be made occasionally before the interested group. They like it, and so does the leader, as long as it is short, free from "soft soap," and genuine.
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