Professional image is the way you appear when you are leading. You must be organised and have everything planned and a back-up plan if something goes wrong. You must be punctual at all times. The way you dress must be appropriate and comfortable for the activity you are doing. You must use the appropriate language and be careful of the way you speak. For example do not swear, and use the appropriate level of language so they can understand you (a group of 5 year olds compared to teenagers or adults). Your personal hygiene must be correct as well. You are looked up as a role model so your professional image is important.
Ethics and values are important when you lead as well. Ethics can be defined as a set of rules to conduct and decision making. Values can be defined as respect, honesty, trust etc… It is necessary to be ethical about your work as you are looked up on and are setting an example. If you are ethical, the activity will be more popular, this will raise awareness and increase money income to keep improving the activity. You will gain a good reputation.
Environmental issues are things that you must consider that will impact the environment. You must think about the landscape and defacing. It will have more impact if you are in a group. Next is the countryside code which you must respect when you are in the outdoors. For example take your litter home and keep the noise levels down. You must think about the travel means. If you go by minibus it will reduce pollution. But it might be easier to meet up at an agreed venue. It will help if you travel together and share cars.
Challenge by choice is about every individual stretching themselves and setting their own goals. People should respect this as it is a personal challenge and the people need support and encouragement.
Trip planning and organisation is about planning and organising an activity so it can be run successfully. You must consider equipment and what you need. Not only the groups but also your own. You must think about transport and access. How are you going to get there and if you are allowed. Ask permission if needed. You need to think about the routes you are going to take. Are they appropriate? Always check the weather forecasts as they can change from a day to another. Take all emergency contacts and medical info down. Ask about allergies and always have a 1st aid kit. Check you have enough staff and the ratio. Think about money just incase.
Risk management is another important sector. It is about making sure the activity is safe. First of all there are three types of risk assessments which you must do before any activity. There is generic which is when it is general on an activity for example climbing. Then specific which could be for a specific location. The last one is dynamic which is an on-going one you do during the activity. Once a risk assessment has been completed, activity procedures are wrote up, which are like a set of rules, which staff and instructors have to follow. In the case of an accident there are emergency procedures which have to be followed. Any accident then has to be reported using an accident report form to provide supporting evidence of what happened. They also serve as evidence if a law suit was to become from the accident. All accidents are then recorded in a near miss book to follow trends and patterns to help foresee potential hazards and therefore put in appropriate control measures.
The next sector is group dynamics which is about the stages of group development by Tuckman (1965). There are four main stages. Forming is when a group comes together, with individuals meeting and familiarising themselves with the other members of the group. Storming is a period of conflict as individuals seek their roles and status in the group. It is also inter-group competition. Norming is when individuals leave the group or accept the common goals and values of the group. They start to cooperate and work together. The group pulls together and the roes are established and become stable. Performing is when the group members work together to achieve their mutual goals. The relationships are well established; the group is stable and perform well together.
The last topic is hard and soft skills. Hard skills can be defined as physical skills. Something you need to do physically for example climbing, kayaking, various qualifications, driving etc… Soft skills can be defined as mental skills and way you appear for example group control, body language, confidence, relationships etc…
Hopefully after reading this you will understand more about leadership and to be on your way to lead a successful activity.
