When Good Manners Meet Bad

Working with people is not for the faint at heart. To help others to be the best, they can take lots of love, commitment, and patience. Scout leaders follow the principles of the Scout Oath and Law all the time. One of the main principles is to help others fulfill their purpose and achieve their dreams. To do that can be a battle at times. One of the qualities of having good manners is that you are willing to be patient and supportive, even when it feels you are making no progress.

“The test of good manners is to be patient with bad ones.”

Gabirol

1021-1070

Philosopher

I remember teaching my grandson, who was about eight years old at the time, table manners. He was willing to learn and did try – most of the time – but he also could not see how all this was important. It reminded me of a scene from one of A.A. Milne’s stories on Winnie the Pooh. Tigger comes to Pooh’s party and is having fun when this exchange goes down:

Pooh: “Oh, Tigger, where are your manners?”

Tigger:  “I don’t know, but I bet they’re having more fun than I am.”

Doesn’t it feel that way when you are trying to mentor or coach someone who wants to learn but is just not fully committed yet? This is the time the Scout must be patient and willing to stick with it. The person you are working with is not being defiant or malicious; they are just not catching it all yet. I have worked with people on the same issue for months before they catch on to what they need to do. When they do get it, it is there forever and worth the wait.

Scouts and Scouters are there for the long haul. I do believe there is a time when we know that someone is just using our time and have no intention of changing or moving forward. Then you must move on. Invest your time only in those people who wish to make a change and succeed. You will, however, find that most people do want to learn to be successful. In those cases, be patient and keep working with them. People are always worth the time you put into them. Scouts must look at the potential in people, and they are driven forward because they know that this one who God has placed in their path is a diamond in the making.

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