Are you an anti-scout, too?

Peter Altschuler
Jul 25, 2017 · 2 min read

The President of the United States addressed the Boy Scouts of America. He had accepted an invitation extended to every sitting president before him.

However, unlike all of the preceding chief executives, he didn’t focus on scouting, the contribution it can make to children’s lives, or the principles it stands for. He took potshots at his adversaries, threatened to fire a cabinet member, and made things, as usual, all about him.

A study in contrasts

In other words, he was the anti-scout. In what way? By being everything a Boy Scout is not.

A scout is:

Trustworthy

Loyal

Helpful

Friendly

Courteous

Kind

Obedient

Cheerful

Thrifty

Brave

Clean and

• Reverent

and there are countless numbers of Americans who abide by those precepts in their businesses, communities, and private lives. Even if they never donned a scout cap, tied a square knot or, to be fair to all the Girl Scouts, sold a cookie. They are traits that, for the most part, are easy to emulate… even if they’re not suited to everyone.

Business applications

In my business, every one of them is vital. My guess is they’re essential in your own business dealings, as well. We need to earn the trust of our customers, and we do that by considering their interests, providing solutions, abiding by their wishes, taking risks (when appropriate), and doing it all willingly.

Customers bring me additional business when it’s clear that I’ve treated them fairly, did things affordably, and made them believe that I was happy to work with them (and, if I wasn’t, I would let them know directly… and in private… to determine what was wrong and try to fix it).

Double standard

Yet Mr. Trump has never seemed to do that — in his businesses or, now, in the White House. Of course, he always expects his employees and providers to accord him all those traits of a scout. He just doesn’t feel an obligation to behave the same way in return.

Because of that, the rest of us should closely adhere to the Boy Scouts’ advice: Be Prepared.

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