Leadership at NOLSNOLS 户外领导力

The designated leader is the head architect and guardian of the group process. They can delegate tasks and decisions, but can't abdicate responsibility and accountability. Complex, potentially risky or tough activities and decisions are best handled with a designated leader guiding or monitoring the process. (Don't confuse a directive style with a designated leader; that's different.)

Tasks include:

• Prepare and organize.
• Let your group know what you expect of them and what they can expect from you.
• Stay connected to your group and seek their input.
• Use your group's strengths and encourage responsibility.
• Take stands on issues clearly and directly.
• Work to stay calm and focused.
• Help others when they need it and ask for help when you need it.
• Do what you say and say what you are doing.
• Seek feedback and learn from experience.

We practice peer leadership largely in our living arrangement on an expedition. In peer leadership, each person sees what needs to be done and takes the initiative to do it, without a hierarchy. All members assure quality completion of group tasks, functions, and goals. Peer leadership works better when members communicate general expectations.

While traveling or engaging in higher risk activities, we do not rely on peer leadership alone.

Tasks include:

• If something needs to be done, do it.
• Do more than your fair share of chores.
• If others aren't pitching in, talk about it.

Expedition members show good leadership by following the leadership of others. They should all participate in the group process, model good EB (Expedition Behavior), and support the leader by seeking clarification, giving input, and respecting the group's plan. Active followers generally work for the betterment of the group and its goals.

Tasks include:

• Take initiative to support the team's plan.
• Complement, rather than duplicate, the efforts of others.

A group member leads by virtue of who they are and how they influence others, not just by the position they hold. This is leadership through character and judgment, which has a huge influence on group dynamics.

Tasks include:

• Take responsibility for yourself.
• Take responsibility for your own learning.
• Risk saying what you think.
• Own what you say.
• If it needs to be done, do it.
• If you don't understand, ask.
• Enjoy your surroundings.
• Maintain a sense of humor.
• Help others learn and succeed.
• Be kind. Push yourself.
• Admit your mistakes.
• If it is not safe for the group, don't do it.
• Participate and observe.
• Learn from your experiences.

• Serve the mission and goals of the group.
• Be as concerned for others as you are for yourself.
• Treat everyone with dignity and respect.
• Support leadership and growth in everyone.
• Respect the cultures you come into contact with.
• Be kind and openhearted.
• Do your share and stay organized.
• Help others, but don't routinely do their work.
• Model integrity by being honest and accountable.
• Say yes and deliver, or say no clearly if you cannot deliver.
• Resolve conflict in a productive manner.
• Help create a positive learning environment.

• Display basic competence and actively improve your: knowledge, organization & management skills, technical skills, physical abilities.
• Set personal goals, make action plans, and follow through.
• Develop a group plan, communicate, coordinate, implement, and then evaluate.
• Take care of your personal maintenance needs in order to remain a highly functioning team member.
• Use specific techniques to reduce risk or avoid hazards.

• Speak up when appropriate; be silent when appropriate.
• Let your group know what you expect of them and what they can expect from you.
• Keep people informed as the situation changes.
• Listen actively: paraphrase and ask questions to clarify.
• Have the courage to state what you think, feel, and want.
• Differentiate between facts and opinions.
• Speak for yourself. Use "I language."
• Avoid use of language that offends others.
• Be empathetic during conflicts.

In giving feedback:

• Be timely.
• Be growth-oriented.
• Be specific about your observations.
• Acknowledge your share of any problem.
• Be clear about what you will do next.
• Be as open to receiving feedback as to giving it.

• Work to develop good judgment. Consider all available experiences, resources, and information to achieve positive results.
• Use situationally appropriate decision-making styles. Develop a range of styles.
• As a leader, choose a decision-making style and then tell the group what it is.
• Be clear about limits and boundaries when letting people make choices.
• Use the strengths and knowledge of other group members to solve problems.
• Help others see how choices fit into the big picture and the long view.
• Apply human factors to the management of risks.
• Question norms and challenge assumptions underlying decisions.

• Turn challenging situations into opportunities.
• See choices as many workable options and combinations, not either/or.
• Learn to endure, even enjoy, hard work and challenge.
• Live in rhythm with what you cannot control. Control what you can.
• Use humor. Keep things in perspective. Maintain a positive mental attitude.
• Function effectively under difficult circumstances. Make focused decisions and stay connected with others.
• Work successfully with different types of people.
• Be patient with less competent colleagues.

• Understand your abilities, limitations, and learning needs.
• Learn from experience, then take steps to improve.
• Admit and correct your mistakes.
• Be proud of your successes and build on them.
• Work at just being yourself as a leader.
• Be clear about your own values and goals.
• Find a healthy balance that works for you: work hard, play, reflect, and rest.
• Seek feedback from others.

• Great leaders create an environment that inspires individuals and groups to achieve their full potential.
• Initiate: assess what needs to be done and do it.
• Motivate: add your energy and can-do attitude to projects in order to help motivate others.
• Inspire: create an environment that inspires individuals and groups to achieve their highest potential.
• Use teamwork strategies: don't duplicate others' efforts; complement them.
• Help create what you want to see.
• Clarify group goals and values, then use these to guide your actions.
• Take risks at an appropriate level for yourself and your group.
• Seek creative ways to move the group forward.
• Stay open and flexible to change.
• Model the way (lead by example).
• Take responsibility for your own education by setting leadership development goals and attaining them.