Adviser's Corner

Leading With Laughter

According to the Chief of Naval Operations, the following radio conversation occurred on October 10 1995:

#1: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the north.
#2: Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a collision.
#1: This is the Captain of a Navy ship. I say again, divert.
#2: No, I say again, you divert YOUR course.
#1: THIS IS THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER ENTERPRISE. WE ARE A LARGE WARSHIP OF THE US NAVY. DIVERT YOUR COURSE NOW.
#2: This is the Puget Sound Lighthouse. It’s your call.

Most of us know leaders who are clear as to their purpose and authority, but in a fog when it comes to vision and the ability to take their jobs seriously while taking themselves lightly. Fortunately, leadership works best when we maintain a humorous calm and playful poise in the height of disaster; after all, there are continuous threats which undermine our sense of control and empowerment.

Leaders who demonstrate humor skills teach by example the importance of playful attitude and positive perspective. They soften adversity in a manner which reduces tension. Abraham Lincoln, a man whose leadership style was marked by a quick and dry wit, exemplified his uncanny ability to roll with conflict when Frederick Douglass accused him in a public debate of being "two-faced." Mr. Lincoln responded in a soft tone and unassuming style, "Ladies and gentlemen, I leave it to you. If I had two faces, do you really think I would show with this one?"

Leaders who draw the joke onto themselves or use other humor strategies for gaining perspective in difficult times assure those who follow them a safe and hopeful environment. By using comedic vehicles, leaders can help their group extract victories from the jaws of defeat and infuse life into a listless team. Leaders who can help their group express their reaction to a difficult situation and gently steer their colleagues into a good perspective are critical assets to Scouting.

Realizing there is opportunity in every disaster, learning in every opportunity, and in the end we are better for the difficulties we face, humor enables us to resume problem-solving and discontinue our negative thought processes.

Groups that play together stay together. May those you lead and those who lead you facilitate a fun experience throughout your Scouting involvement.

Ronald L. Francis,
Lodge Advisor
Nisqually #155
(253) 441-5961
lodgeadviser@nisqually155.org