Eight Fundamental Requirements for Training Leaders
1. Desire: Scouter must want to learn how to operate a unit effectively.
 | Adults resist learning something simply because somebody says they must. |
| They learn best when they have a strong motivation to acquire a particular skill or to increase a particular knowledge. |
| The desire to learn must be created by emphasizing the importance of the job to be done. |
2. Need: Leaders learn only what they feel a need to learn.
| Materials presented in a training course should provide an immediate aid to unit operation. |
| Try to use this idea: "This is what you do. This is how you do it. This is why you do it." |
3. Leaders Learn by Doing.
| Provide immediate and repeated opportunities to practice or use what is taught. |
| On-The-Job training with a skilled trainer is excellent. |
4. Situations presented in training courses must be realistic.
| Use actual unit situations as the basis for discussions. |
5. Previous experience affects a leader's ability to learn.
| If new knowledge doesn't fit in with what leaders already know or think they know, they may tend to reject it. |
| Training material should convince leaders of the best methods. |
6. Leaders learn best in a relaxed, informal, comfortable environment.
| Provide opportunities for fun and fellowship. |
| Encourage discussion and questions. Try to avoid arguments. |
| Avoid arguments that relate to the policies of the Boy Scouts of America. |
7. Use a variety of training methods and techniques.
| Change the pace often. |
8. Leaders want guidance and help, not grades.
