Military Leadership Traits & their Application in the Boy Scouts

This lesson explains and provides examples of the 14 military leadership traits used in the Marine Corps and how they can apply to you in the Boy Scouts.

Purpose

Lesson Objectives

​

​

​

1. Provide a definition and example of each of the 14 leadership traits.

​

• Describe how the 14 leadership traits apply to the Boy Scouts.

Key Words: Learn the language

Key Words

​

• Stature

​

​

• Compassion

​

​

​

​

• Demeaning

​

• ______ – the importance, power, and reputation a person has.

​

__________ - showing concern, sympathy, and understanding for someone who is suffering.

_________ - an action toward another that puts them down and makes others have less respect for them.

Key Words

​

• Condescending

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

• Discretion

​

• _____________ - talking to, or acting toward other people in a way that makes them feel you are emphasizing your superiority over them in a negative way. Ex. "It's hard for you to understand..."

​

​

_________ - the quality of behaving in a quiet and controlled manner without drawing attention to yourself or giving away personal or private information.

Warm Up Question

​

Developing leadership traits is important for

which of the following reasons?

​

​

​

• To improve your personal life
• To gain the respect of your peers
• To succeed in your professional life
• All of the above

1. Bearing

​

​

Create a favorable impression by your appearance; carry yourself well.

Examples of leaders that showed bearing are:

• George Washington
• Robert E. Lee
• Gen. James Mattis

2. Courage

​

​

Courage allows you to perform effectively in spite of hardships.

• Physical Courage: Acting without regard for your physical welfare.

• Moral Courage: Standing up for your beliefs despite criticism.

3. Decisiveness

​

​

Decisiveness is a quality that allows you to take swift and firm action.

To take decisive action you must have:

• All available facts
• Courage
• The ability to act quickly

​

4. Dependability

​

​

Being dependable means your team will know that you will perform your duties in a proper manner.

• For your superiors, this quality is of utmost importance.
• For your team, they are depending on you to lead them.

​

5. Endurance

​

​

Endurance is the ability to endure hardships such as hunger, cold, heat, and stress.

• When you work long hours with little rest, you will need endurance.
• To endure and overcome is the essence of the Corps.

​

6. Enthusiasm

​

​

You must show interest and exuberance in the performance of your duties.

• Remain optimistic and cheerful.
• Set a positive example for your team members.

​

7. Initiative

​

​

Initiative is the ability to take action in the absence of any clearly defined orders.

• It will often be necessary for you to work with little or no supervision.
• If something needs to be done, do it!

​

Lesson Question

On a Class A uniform day, you wear a wrinkled uniform with your hat backwards. What trait have you violated?

• Bearing
• Courage
• Decisiveness
• Knowledge

Lesson Question

You arrive home 60 minutes late and make up a story about how you were trying to get home on time. What leadership trait did you violate?

• Bearing
• Dependability
• Loyalty

8. Integrity

​

​

Integrity means that in order to lead, you must be honest and upright; you must be truthful in your actions and words.

• You might be asked to lie, cheat, or engage in illegal activities.
• If you behave in an unethical manner, your team members will come to distrust you.

9. Judgment

​

​

Judgment is the ability to consider all the factors of a problem and then make the correct decision.

• Good judgment must be nurtured and developed.
• You must examine a situation carefully before you can make a good decision.

Decisiveness and Judgement

10. Justice

​

​

Justice means that you are fair and “even” in your decisions. Impartiality should be your watchword.

• Favoritism should never be a factor in your decisions.
• If your team members see that they are treated fairly, they will trust your judgment.

11. Knowledge

​

​

You must study to become aware of Rank and Merit Badge Requirements, scouting equipment and tools, and the capabilities of your team.

• Knowledge will help you accomplish your task.

• Leaders should keep abreast of current developments in their field, policies, etc.

12. Loyalty

​

​

Loyalty is the quality of faithfulness to your country, organization (Boy Scouts), seniors, subordinates, and peers.

• A good leader does not allow personal opinion to interfere with the mission.
• Loyalty is the essence of serving your unit.

13. Tact

​

​

Tact is the ability to deal with others without creating offense.

• You should speak to others without being demeaning or condescending.
• Treat others as you think all people should be treated.

14. Unselfishness

​

​

As a Boy Scout and leader, you must put the comfort and advancement of others _____ of your own.

• This does not mean you put the needs of subordinates ahead of the task, for the task always comes first.
• True leaders place themselves last in priority.

ahead

Pay attention!

Acronym for Leadership Traits

​

​

Justice

Judgment

Dependability

Integrity

Decisiveness

Tact

Initiative

JJ DID TIE BUCKLE

Enthusiasm

Bearing

Unselfishness

Courage

Knowledge

Loyalty

Endurance

Lesson Question

You are in the school parking lot when you see a fight break out. You decide to get a teacher to stop the fight. Which leadership trait have you applied?

• Loyalty
• Unselfishness
• Tact
• Judgment

​

Lesson Question

In which order of priority should a leader put the following concerns?

• Your own comfort
• Welfare of subordinates
• Mission or task

• 1, 2, 3
• 3, 2, 1
• 3, 1, 2

Keep Doing

​

​

List 2-3 of the 14 military leadership traits that you think are your current “strengths.” Why?

​

Develop

​

List 2-3 leadership traits that you would like to develop. For each one, list 1-2 actions you could do as a first step toward that development.

​

Questions

​

​