Back in 2015 this photo that was taken by Cesare Brai started to pop up on social media.

This photo is a great display of how we should be a successful leader. To break down the line of wolfs:

• The first three are the sick or old wolfs

• The next group (5) are the strong members of the pack

• The middle group is the remaining pack members

• The last group of 5 wolfs are more of the strong members

• Finally, at the end of the line making sure no one is left behind is the leader. The Alpha

Us, as leaders of packs and troops; being Akela, have the opportunity to lead young scouts to be leaders within their own dens and patrols and eventually be leaders out in the world.

Sometimes we get into the mindset that the leader needs to be at the head of the line. We have been taught this from our early years as kids (at least I was). Take a look at the fun animated Disney movie “Peter Pan”. John and Michael Darling with the help of the Lost Boys give us the song “We’re Following the Leader” where the line of boys go off to fight pirates and Indians while following their fearless leader. Going out on hikes with the cub scouts, one can witness the mad dash of scouts trying to be the first one in line to be “The Leader”. Then, throughout the hike there are multiple rotations of leaders, or firsts of the line as everyone wants a chance to be the leader.

One term that I have always liked, and implemented into troops that I have been the Scoutmaster for is “Shadow Leadership”. This is the method of using the EDGE method with your Senior Patrol Leader and teaching them what needs to be completed within the patrols and troop. After I have taught and trained for a period of time, I step back and let the SPL call the shots. Some of the best teaching moments is when there is failure. Of course you never want to set them up for failure, but when failure is emanate, let it happen. We learn from our mistakes. In reality, “shadow leadership” is another term for the Patrol Method. The next time you attend a council ran week long scout camp, sit back at take a look at the different troops at the morning flag ceremony. It is very noticeable those troops that have Scoutmasters that implement the Patrol Method.

Take a moment and reflect on this photo…. What would happen if the sick and old were left to play “catch up” at the back of the line? Would the leader be able to see more of the pack’s needs from the front rather than the back of the line? Whats the benefits of being surrounded by the “strong” members of the pack?