Elements that Bring People Together

My son started Cub Scouts this year. To say he was unsure of wanting to do this is an understatement. But with a little bit of pushing and even some father dictatorial efforts, we got to the first meeting. In the end, just after one meeting, he loved it. I kind of thought he would.

I’m not the pack or den leader. Just a dad wanting to do something with his son. As I watch the first meeting, with a dozen kids between kindergarten and third grade, I was struck by the simplicity, yet the importance, of some basic features the Cub Scouts deliver. I found myself thinking about how important they are to helping an organization toward a goal.

There was a sense of discipline and direction in chaos. When it was time to say the pledge or to give the oath, there was order from young children who had too much energy and wanted to do other things. These children didn’t know each other, so doing activities together brought them to a centralized direction quickly. And the reward system of giving out a badge for knowing the creed or the oath or the salute brought smiles to faces as they felt accomplishment. 

Common beliefs, group efforts for common goals, and positive reinforcement are such simple concepts. And yet, for most leaders, we concentrate more on the tactical rather than the development of the individual and team. We worry about the end result of money on the bottom line or metrics or other specific outcomes without spending personal and professional resources to truly invest in the people trying to accomplish these goals. We worry more about the end result rather than the process to get there.

I have no idea if my son will be an Eagle Scout. I certainly was not. I had other things that entertained and dazzled me. But I watched a dozen kids who really don’t know each other, from different schools and even districts, gather together and within an hour and a half have a sense of communal direction and accomplishment. While the Boy Scouts have had tremendous, tragic, and completely uncalled for problems that have greatly affected others, I don’t want to lose sight of some of the good that I think will come for my son from his experience…. And may be a good reminder for this dad.