I Understand

If there is one quality that Scouts and Scouters must develop to be the best kind of friend, it’s the ability to understand others. Understanding is not excusing wrong thinking or behavior, but it sees why it happens. Understanding is not compromising but instead recognizing that we all see things differently. W. Clement Stone said, “Truth will always be the truth, regardless of lack of understanding, disbelief or ignorance.”

An assessment I use when I am coaching someone is called a DISC Assessment. DISC is not a personality test but instead tells us how we communicate, and we like to have others interact with us. It is our behavioral style, and by understanding it and the styles of others, we can better communicate. Tony Robbins said, “To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.”

“Every man should keep a fair-sized cemetery in which to bury the faults of his friends.”

Henry Ward Beecher

1813-1887

Clergyman

Scouts should desire to understand others so they can best help and encourage them. When we are stuck in our thinking, we block off the avenues of communication and understanding. You and the person you are talking to could be saying the same thing and desire the same result, but a lack of understanding of the other will cause you to think you are disagreeing. As a Scout, it is your responsibility to understand others and why they feel the way they do.

Even when people are thinking wrong or doing what you know is not right, your ability to understand why they feel as they do is key to your success in helping them. We all have a past, hurts, education, and experience that influence how we think – right or wrong. Understanding others will open doors that have been locked in their lives, maybe for years. It is the most powerful thing a friend can do.

Author Og Mandino gave some great advice on dealing with others that I believe all Scouts and Scouters should use daily. He said, “Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness, and understanding you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.” Try some understanding with others. It will change you both.

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2020 John Patrick Hickey