2022-01 Work Ethic

The other day my teenager was talking to me about how his day was at work.  In between all the items in his busy schedule of school, scouts, and sports, he also has a part time job in the evenings.  I had to smile a bit when he mentioned that the manager and owner got after them for just sitting around when there were no customers.  An old saying that I was taught way back before dirt was invented was, “if there is time to lean, then there is time to clean.” He kind of laughed at me when I said that to him. Ya, I know… it's a total dad thing to say.

Our conversation continued with me asking some pondering questions. “Were all of the work tasks completed?...”. His reply was “No”. How would you react if you were the owner and walked through the front door to witness your employees sitting on the counters playing games or texting on their phones? How would you also react in the same scenario if none of the dishes were done, the floors had trash all over, and the trash bins were overflowing from the dinner rush? When you pay your employees, what are you paying for? The reaction of my son’s boss may have been different if in fact all the assignments were completed and signed off and there was nothing else to complete before closing the store.  In the words of my mother, “there is always something to clean”. 

We learn the importance of following through and completing assignments early on in the troop through the patrol method.  Just the same as most business organizations, everyone reports to someone in the patrol. We practiced this while at camp. In our troop, each patrol has different duties each day.  Someone needs to prep, cook, and clean up meals along with fire duty, camp cleanliness, and all the other various assignments needed for a successful camp.  If one, or all neglect to complete their assignments, it has the possibility of causing a ripple effect to the next individual or patrol who is assigned next.  

As we practice within our patrols, we are preparing ourselves for when it is time to work at a job.  It doesn't matter what the job is. It could be anything from flipping burgers, mowing lawns, tending kids, or working retail. Make sure to take ownership in your position and do the best that you can as you implement the Scout Law into your daily work activities.