Leading like a scout. Suitability of the Scout role as an indicator of leadership competence

Master's Thesis , 2021 , 113 Pages , Grade: 1,0

Psychology - Industrial and organizational psychology

In the context of this work it is to be examined whether the role of the Scout is suitable as an indicator for guidance authority. This is considered to be confirmed if it can be shown that Scouting has a significant influence on the development of leadership competence, or rather imparts relevant competencies that enable Scouts to lead successfully. Therefore, the primary research question is derived from this: "Does Scouting influence personal leadership competence?"

As early as 2006, Handelsblatt wrote about "the managers from the campfire" and quoted the Swedish King Carl Gustaf as saying "Scouts teach leadership skills." A few years later, in April 2019, WirtschaftsWoche published a detailed article on the subject of soft skills entitled "Why scouts make good bosses." The author justifies this with a number of soft skills that a Scout acquires at a young age and during his training. These include decision-making skills, conversational skills, project management, group leadership, teamwork and leadership, and generally taking responsibility. These are all competencies that companies often impart to their employees through expensive training courses.

If this causality can be confirmed, it would be of great importance, especially for aptitude diagnostics, as it would provide a new indicator for leadership competence. While professional competence can still be demonstrated by relevant work experience in a resume, it becomes much more difficult in the area of personal, social and methodological competence.

It should also be taken into account that the demands placed on managers are constantly growing. The megatrends of globalization and digitization are increasingly changing these demands. Intercultural teams working together in different locations around the world are the norm rather than the exception these days. Changes are also taking place at ever shorter intervals due to increasing competition and growing complexity.

Through eleven expert interviews with experienced leaders and a retired federal president - who also have Scouting experience - and a qualitative content analysis, this study examines whether Scouting has an influence on personal leadership competence, which leadership competencies are influenced, and which Scouting elements have the greatest influence on leadership competence.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• 1 Introduction
• 1.1 Relevance of the topic
• 1.2 Objective
• 1.3 Delimitation
• 1.4 Structure of the work
• 1.5 Note by the author
• 2 Theoretical part
• 2.1 Leadership
• 2.1.1 Leadership versus management
• 2.1.2 Leadership success
• 2.2 Traditional leadership theories
• 2.2.1 Property theories
• 2.2.2 Behavioural theories
• 2.2.3 Situational leadership theories
• 2.3 Modern leadership theories
• 2.3.1 Emotional leadership
• 2.3.2 Transactional leadership
• 2.3.3 Transformational leadership
• 2.3.4 Leadership approaches
• 2.4 Leadership competence
• 2.4.1 Competence models
• 2.4.2 Elements of leadership competence
• 2.5 Scouts
• 2.5.1 Origin and basic elements of the Scout Movement
• 2.5.2 Scouts today - Vision and mission
• 2.5.3 Principles of Scouting Education in the DPSG
• 2.5.4 The age groups in the DPSG
• 2.5.5 Understanding of leadership and training in the DPSG
• 2.5.6 Influence of Scout education on leadership skills
• 3 Applied methodology
• 3.1 Expert interview
• 3.2 Structure Tree and Interview Guide
• 3.3 Pre-test and practical implementation
• 3.4 Selection criteria of the interview partners
• 3.5 Definition of the categories
• 4 Evaluation of the findings
• 4.1 Influence of Scouting on leadership competence
• 4.1.1 Influence of Scouting on Personal Competence
• 4.1.2 Influence of Scouting on Social Competence
• 4.1.3 Influence of Scouting on Methodological Competence
• 4.1.4 Influence of Scouting on Professional Competence
• 4.2 Scouting factors influencing leadership competence
• 4.2.1 Scouting methodology as an influencing factor
• 4.2.2 Characteristics of Scouting as an Influencing Factor
• 4.2.3 Woodbadge training as an influencing factor
• 4.3 Other influences due to Scouting
• 4.3.1 Influence of Scouting on career entry
• 4.3.2 Transfer of Scouting to the corporate world
• 5 Discussion
• 5.1 Interpretation of the results
• 5.2 Critical reflection on one's own approach
• 5.3 Discussion of the quality criteria
• 5.3.1 Reliability
• 5.3.2 Validity
• 5.3.3 Objectivity
• 5.4 Overall summary of content
• 5.5 Outlook and further procedure
• 5.5.1 Implication for practice
• 5.5.2 Implication for further research

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This thesis aims to explore the suitability of the Scout role as an indicator of leadership competence. It investigates whether the skills and experiences gained through participation in the Scout Movement contribute to the development of leadership abilities.

• The study explores the theoretical frameworks of leadership and leadership competence, highlighting the diverse models and elements within these areas.
• The research delves into the origins, principles, and practices of the Scout Movement, analyzing its impact on leadership development.
• The thesis investigates the influence of specific Scouting factors, such as methodology, characteristics, and training programs, on leadership competence.
• The work examines how Scouting experiences might influence career entry and the transfer of skills to the corporate world.
• The study critically evaluates its methodology and results, discussing the reliability, validity, and objectivity of the findings.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Chapter 1: Introduction This chapter introduces the topic of the thesis, outlining its relevance, objectives, delimitations, structure, and a note from the author.
• Chapter 2: Theoretical Part This chapter provides a comprehensive theoretical foundation by exploring various leadership theories, including traditional and modern approaches, as well as concepts related to leadership competence. It also delves into the origins, principles, and practices of the Scout Movement, examining its potential influence on leadership skills.
• Chapter 3: Applied Methodology This chapter outlines the research methodology employed in the thesis, specifically focusing on expert interviews and the structure of the interview guide. It also discusses the selection criteria for interview participants and the definition of categories used for analysis.
• Chapter 4: Evaluation of the Findings This chapter presents the findings of the research, analyzing the influence of Scouting on leadership competence. It examines the impact on different aspects of competence, such as personal, social, methodological, and professional, and explores specific Scouting factors that contribute to leadership development.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This master's thesis focuses on the intersection of leadership competence and the Scout Movement. Key concepts include leadership theories, leadership competence models, Scouting principles, Scout education, and the influence of Scouting experiences on leadership development. The study investigates the transferability of Scouting skills to professional settings and explores the potential of the Scout role as an indicator of leadership aptitude.

• College: SRH - Mobile University
• Grade: 1,0
• Author: Jan Bast (Author)
• Publication Year: 2021
• Pages: 113
• Catalog Number: V1031007
• ISBN (eBook): 9783346410344
• ISBN (Book): 9783346410351
• Language: English
• Tags: leadership, scouting, leading, scout, leader, pfadfinder, führungskompetenz