Just Be Thoughtful

Scouts and Scouters need to understand that how they treat others is key to their success. If you mistreat, lie to, and manipulate people, you will never receive their trust and loyalty. However, when you show kindness and consideration to others, they will do all they can to help you to succeed. Economist Thomas Sowell put it this way, “Politeness and consideration for others are like investing pennies and getting dollars back.”

If you want to see what you look like to others, look at how you treat them. Nothing, not education, not wealth, not position or title matter to people as much as how they are treated. Marion Wright Edelman said, “Being considerate of others will take your children further in life than any college degree.” John C. Maxwell makes it more evident when he said, “People do not care how much you know till they know how much you care.”  Scouts are taught that you cannot be considerate of others unless you care about them.

“Really big people are, above everything else, courteous, considerate and generous

 – not just to some people in some circumstances – but to everyone all the time.”

Thomas J. Watson

1874-1956

Businessman

Being considerate means, you have respect for others. You respect their opinion, their thoughts, their dreams, and their rights. You do not have to agree with someone to show respect for what they have to say. Both Scouts and Scouters, at times, struggle with the need to be right. That is the wrong way to treat others. Author Jerry Bridges in his book The Practice of Godliness, said, “I fear that all too often Christians may be less humane and considerate than nonbelievers. We think we are standing on principles when, in reality, we may be only insisting on our opinion.”

One of the most considerate things you can do for others is to listen to them. Their opinion matters as much as yours does. When you show the respect of listening to others and allow them to express their opinions and feelings, you then earn the privilege to be heard by them. You give then dignity and acceptance, something every human desiring. This does not mean you must agree with them; they could be totally off the wall, but by listening and being considerate, you can help them in an honest and equal discussion.

Scouts come to understand that to be seen as excellent is not because you compromise or you always are right. It is because you are a polite and considerate person. Alfred Lord Tennyson said, “The greater the man, the greater the courtesy.”

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