100 Years of Leadership Training

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This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. Originally founded in England by General Sir Robert Baden-Powell, scouting came to America by way of the first organization in Washington D.C. formed in 1910. Since then over 50 million young men have been Boy Scouts. When Cub Scout’s numbers are included (Cub Scouts were founded in 1930) that number swells to well over 110 million.

The success of scouting in America is phenomenal. The list of our nation’s leaders who were Scouts is amazing. Six U.S. Presidents and 212 members of the 111th Congress were Scouts. Of the first 29 original astronauts, 26 were Scouts. Many captains of industry claim scouting in their youth including, such notable leaders as Bill Gates (Microsoft), Sam Walton (Wal-Mart), Barber Conable (President of the World Bank), Larry Kellner (Continental Airlines), J Willard Marriott Jr.(Marriott Hotels), Gary Rodgers (Dreyers Ice Cream), and the list goes on and on. Even the service academies boast a high number of graduates who were scouts: 64% from the Air Force Academy, 68% from West Point, and 70% from Annapolis. Men who were Scouts for at least five years even report average salaries approximately 14% higher than those who weren’t.

So what is it about scouting that makes leaders? I believe that question is answered by looking at the Boy Scout Oath, and the twelve points of the Boy Scout Law. These two commitments are the first things learned by a new Scout and, as was recently demonstrated to me in a large group, usually retained for life. The Scout Oath says,

On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
To obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

The twelve points of the Scout Law state that a scout is

Trustworthy
Loyal
Helpful
Friendly
Courteous
Kind
Obedient
Cheerful
Thrifty
Brave
Clean
Reverent

Taken together, this oath and law clearly and succinctly describe a leader, whether that be an 11 year old boy, a corporate executive, or a U.S. President. There are two things which are critical in the Scout Oath; the agreement to obey the points of the Scout Law, and the statement about staying physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. These three points describe how a leader can cope with the stresses of leadership. Physically strong doesn’t mean being a marathon runner, or an Olympic athlete. Rather, leaders must keep themselves in a state of fitness that allows them to better cope with the demands of the job.

While I’m sure some would argue the importance of various points in the Scout Law, they all come together to create a well rounded person; in a word, a leader.

So, happy birthday to the Boy Scouts of America. Thank you for creating leaders and making the world a better place.

Information for this article was taken from http://ww2.scouting.org/100years, and http://www.usscouts.org.