16 The Patrol Leader Handbook    

• Be consistent. Nothing is more confusing for a group than a

leader who is one way one moment and the opposite a short
time later. When your patrol members know what to expect
from you, they will be more likely to respond positively to
your leadership.
• Give praise. Offer honest praise whenever you can. Simply
saying, “Nice job!” can go a long way toward making a Scout
feel he is contributing to the effort of the patrol. Good leaders
know that the best way to get credit is to keep giving it away.
• Ask for help. Don’t be embarrassed to ask questions or to draw
on the many resources available to you. When confronted with
a situation you don’t know how to handle, or just to get another
opinion on a plan that seems to be going well, ask experienced
troop leaders for guidance and advice.
• Have fun. Learning to be a good leader is an important part
of the adventure of Scouting. Much of what you do as a patrol
leader will be very successful, but sometimes you will discover
that certain leadership approaches you try don’t work so well.
Keep trying, though, and give it your best effort. Most of all, have
fun learning to be a leader. Your joy and enthusiasm will spread
to other Scouts and can energize the activities of your patrol.