Scout Leadership Course Handout

Session area

Solutions and Decisions: Introduction

Outline of the session

The purpose of a leader is to achieve a task or a number of tasks with a team and other resources provided. Selecting the best way to achieve the task is a one of the things that shows a good leader. Seeking different solutions, evaluating them and then acting on the decision makes a great leader.

Session Notes

This session is designed to give an overview of the task / individual / group model for finding and implementing solutions. This area of learning is vast and there is not adequate time to cover it on this course. All we are attempting to do is establish a few working ideas for solving problems.

The pieces of the puzzle

There are three main things to think about with any problem you might face:

• The Task: What are you actually trying to do? What is the outcome you want?
• The Individual(s): Who, including yourself, is around to help? What are their skills? Do they all have the same view?
• The Group: When everyone works together, you become a group or a team. A group is stronger than an individual.

A way to solve problems

Here is one way to work though finding a solution:

• Identify the task - what is the expected outcome? Can you state the task clearly?
• Establish the facts - by asking questions, observing and discussing - not acting. Who, what, where, when.
• Gather ideas - by inviting the Patrol to contribute, suggesting and discussing - not acting. Don't dismiss any ideas - no matter how silly. Always include "do nothing" as an idea. This is part of forming the group.
• Summarise and review the ideas - what might happen if you choose each idea? Will it solve the problem? Do you have the people and resources to do it?
• Choose on solution - and communicate the choice and how it will happen - this is building the group up.
• Do it - put the idea into action using the resources available.
• Review the results - did it work? If not, what else should we try?

Problem solving checklist

Here are some questions to help you review the role of the leader:

• What style of leadership did they use?
  ◊ Directive (taking charge)  ◊ Shared  ◊ Whatever goes
• How well was the project explained?
  ◊ Explained clearly to everyone  ◊ Some were left in the dark  ◊ Only the leader knew what was going on
• Did the leader gather ideas from the group?
  • Yes - only from __________________________________
  • Yes - from everyone
  • No
• Did the leader find out what skills were available?
  • Yes - only from ___________________________________________
  • Yes - from everyone
  • No
• Was everyone involved?
  ◊ Someone was left out  ◊ Yes - everyone took part