Leadership in your daily life-Living the Scout Law
My most recent posts have dealt with the 10 points of the Scout Law broken down into two segments. While for many this may seem very simple, the simplicity is challenged by the complexity and the discipline of living the Scout Law. The same challenge and complexity comes with living out the basic concepts of leadership in your daily life, both personally and professionally. I’ll spend a few moments today discussing some of these challenges in commonplace situations that we all encounter.
As I have mentioned in my two previous posts, there are 10 points to the Scout Law:
A Scout is:
- Helpful
- Friendly
- Courteous
- Kind
- Obedient
- Cheerful
- Thrifty
- Brave
- Clean
- Reverent
I will choose just 3 from this list to emphasize the challenge that occurs often.
When we talk about obedience, just what does that mean? Obedient to whom and when? When I think of obedience I have a set of fundamentals I base all of my decisions on , the Ten Commandments. This will not hold true for all. Knowing this it gives me pause to wonder just what the foundation for obedience is for the masses? Is there a common set of fundamentals and should there be? My answer would be to refer to these 10 Commandments as the most basic guideline, but that is my choice and it may not work for all, hence a major challenge.
Thrift or efficiency is a virtue that is less commonplace now than in many times in my life. I recently discussed thrift with a colleague and exemplified how my parent’s generation lived in such thrifty ways, sharing homes, saving money and only buying what they can afford. One does not need to look far to see that our society has strayed from these basic tenants I recent years. Thrift is of great value, but it also involves sacrifice. Sacrifice involves discipline. This means delaying gratification.
The third point of the law that also is challenged in today’s world is Cleanliness. This is much more than personal hygiene. When I think of Cleanliness I also try to use the acronym GIGO-Garbage in, Garbage out. Garbage can be described in ways such as what we read, view or disuses. My thinking is that there is a lot of fluff and filth in the world and many of us are so caught up in these that we never get to the good stuff, the reading or viewing of things that will make us pause or think of great good of utility. I am not here to indict the masses, but we just don’t challenge ourselves enough in America when it comes to what we bring in our personal front doors.
As I first discussed, the Scout Law gives each of us a great framework for personal and professional leadership. There are not many simplistic models that are so over-arching that touch such a broad range of leadership principles. I find them to be indispensible.
I recently paid a visit to Brownsea Island to see where the teaching of leadership first took place in Scouting. It is comforting to know that this area is now protected and enjoyed by thousands each year from the UK and throughout the world.
Which of the 10 points is a strength for you? Which of the 10 points is a challenge?
I encourage you to use the 10 points of the Scout Law as a framework for your life. I know you will benefit from doing so.