You have a vision for your Patrol; you know what you want it to be. But how do you get started?
Communication is 90% of being a good Patrol Leader!
But where do you start?
When I was a Patrol Leader, I found one of the best tools to have in my ‘Communication Toolbox’ was the Patrol Briefing.
A “briefing” is a “brief” talk with your Patrol. A briefing communicates not only details and information, but encourages Patrol Spirit. It’s like the pep-talk a coach gives before an important play or the talk a Sergeant gives his men before a mission.
As a Patrol Leader, I did Patrol Briefings all the time; they were really useful. Before camp-outs, at meetings, or whenever I needed everyone’s attention, I would gather my Patrol around me and away from distractions. I’d tell the Patrol what needed to be done, encourage them with something short and inspirational, and answer any questions they had.
It really helped us work and feel like a team! Some of the other Patrol Leaders would just give off-the-cuff orders, and others wouldn’t talk much at all! I saw that the Patrol Briefings gave my Patrol the edge and kept us organized!
Here are a few simple steps to putting together a good Patrol Briefing:
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Prepare what you are going to say – Don’t worry about a script, but refine the message you want to give in your head. Speak from the heart.
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Choose the right time and place – Collect your Patrol together where there aren’t any distractions and let them know you have something to say.
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Be quick – Keep the talks short and energetic. Say what you need to say in under two minutes.
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Listen for questions – Give your guys a chance to ask questions or submit suggestions. Listen carefully, and explain any grey areas.
How comfortable do you feel talking with your Patrol? Are you nervous speaking up or do you tend to run on and talk too much?
Leave a comment or join the discussion on the GreenBar Life Forum and let me know!