{"alias":"blogEntry","byline":"","standfirst":"Chris James thinks back on his time as a Scout, his leaders then, and his experience as a volunteer, and asks that tricky question \u2013 what makes an amazing leader?","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/3481/what_makes_an_amazing_leader_fb.jpg","width":1000,"height":1000,"altText":"Dwayne Fields standing in front of a Scout banner that says \u0022You look like a role model.\u0027","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EI\u2019m standing in the leafy shade of a giant oak at Gilwell Park, the home of Scouts, with adventurer, Mark Wood. He\u2019s about to give a rallying speech to 2,000\u002B adult volunteers, inspiring them for the year ahead and thanking them for everything they do.\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAt that moment, two leaders walk past. I introduce them to Mark as the most important volunteers in Scouts. He shakes their hands warmly and then asks me why I say that.\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u2018Easy,\u2019 I reply. \u2018Because they\u2019re my son\u2019s leaders.\u2019\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u2018There\u2019s got to be a better reason than that,\u2019 laughs Mark.\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u2018Well, they also happen to be incredibly generous people.\u2019\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EIt\u2019s true. They run Scouts through the summer holidays, even when only four or five Scouts show up. Not because they feel they have to, but because they want to. It\u2019s a highlight of their week as much as it is my son\u2019s.\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGenerosity of spirit\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThis unexpected meeting got me thinking about what it is that makes an amazing leader. Immediately, I felt that it was nothing to do with how many different ways they know how to light a fire. Instead, it has everything to with generosity of spirit, being a great listener, and sharing the sense of fun that makes Scouts so special.\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EIt got me thinking back on my own leaders all those years ago. My Scout Leader was called Jim, who incredibly \u2013 given the generation gap \u2013\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0 \u003C/span\u003Ewe were allowed to call \u2019Jim\u2019. He was a softly spoken Scotsman; a man of few words, and that perfect mix of relaxed and encouraging. He gave us a great deal of leeway with the implication that somewhere, there was a limit, and he\u2019d let us know when we reached it. He had a kind of \u2018I wouldn\u2019t do that if I were you\u2026\u2019 expression. His other speciality was a look that said: \u2018You\u2019re doing that well. If you keep at it, you might just get good.\u2019\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe most important thing was that we respected him. He didn\u2019t bellow at us. He didn\u2019t try to be our mate. He didn\u2019t nanny us, either. If we said it was too cold to go out and play a wide game, he\u2019d helpfully suggest we put on a jumper.\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EI suspect our Troop didn\u2019t have much money. We spent most of the time in the school field running around in the dark trying to capture a lantern. Other times we were in the hall playing games, learning skills, poring over maps, and once, memorably being shown \u2018The Empire Strikes Back\u2019 on a giant projector while we chomped on Wham bars and home-made popcorn. In other words, it was a classic 1980s Scout Troop.\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMaking things happen\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EJim did arrange for us to go on an annual camp. This was and still is, a huge moment for Scouts, when you get to test the skills you\u2019ve been learning all year. He and the other leaders bundled us onto a clapped out minibus that chugged along in the slow lane as we sang our way down to Symonds Yat on the Welsh borders. We had an unforgettable week of kayaking on the white waters. In my memory, it was like tackling the Zambezi river. When it got too choppy, we jumped out and stumbled along the banks with our kayaks on our shoulders. When I capsized one day, it was simultaneously the most terrifying and exciting thing that had ever happened to me. It was something completely different; time out of my normal life. I had to think for myself, get stuck in, and quite literally sink or swim. \u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe fact that I\u2019d forgotten to bring my plate, bowl, knife and fork and cup to camp was another part of what made it unforgettable. But even then a solution was found \u2013 when we went on a hike to the local chip shop, I managed to smuggle out a polystyrene cup and bowl, wooden fork, knife and spoon, then carefully used and washed these for the remainder of the week. \u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0 \u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EWhen my mum picked me up at the end of the camp and asked Jim how I\u2019d got on, he had two words. \u2018He\u2019s grown.\u2019\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0 \u003C/span\u003EThat said it all. I\u2019d learned to look after myself, play my part and bounce back when things hadn\u2019t worked out.\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMaking the time\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe point is that I\u2019d never have the opportunities, the skills and friends that Scouts gave me, if it wasn\u2019t for Jim. I didn\u2019t know much about him, but I know he wasn\u2019t some kind of superhero. He didn\u2019t have any amazing skills or tricks or dazzling speeches. He just made the time to turn up, plan some great things and keep it all going. He was dependable, he was open, and above all, he looked like he was enjoying it. He didn\u2019t pretend he knew it all. When he needed someone who knew about guide dogs, he brought in someone who owned one. When we needed to earn our mechanics badge, he asked his local mechanic to come along to the Scout Group and explain what a spark plug was. \u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPassing it on\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EWhen my own time came to volunteer, as my son became a Beaver Scout, I thought a lot about Jim. I realised I didn\u2019t need to the best leader. I didn\u2019t need to know the most. I just needed to smile, listen and pass on what I could. For the first time in decades, I felt that special sense of belonging that being a Scout brings. I felt part of a family. Other leaders supported me and random children started saying hi to me in Tesco. Other parents thanked me for giving up my time.\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EBut it didn\u2019t feel like that. In fact, I\u2019m not even sure whether \u2018giving up\u2019 is the right phrase. It implies that there was something more worthwhile, rewarding or enjoyable I could be doing. Scouts is all those things and more.\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThere\u2019s a brilliant quote that goes along the lines of: \u2018Scouts should be a right for young people. For adults, it\u2019s a privilege.\u2019 That\u2019s exactly what it feels like to be a leader.\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGiving it a go\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ESo if you\u2019re already one of our activity planners, tidy-uppers, tea-makers, give-it-a-goers, then good on you. If you haven\u2019t yet, I promise it\u2019s one of the most amazing experiences you can ever have. Why not give it a go? Just remember, if you go on camp \u2013 don\u2019t forget your cutlery.\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u00A0 \u00A0 \u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"20 September 2019","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[],"relatedLinks":[],"id":40248,"nodeName":"What makes an amazing leader?","title":"What makes an amazing leader? ","type":"blogEntry","image":{"url":"/media/3481/what_makes_an_amazing_leader_fb.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1d9becd30e000a0","caption":"What Makes An Amazing Leader FB","type":"jpg","size":204178,"width":1000,"height":1000,"altText":""},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"What makes an amazing leader? 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