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What Are the Qualities In a Good Outdoor Leader?

Outdoor leaders need to have certain qualities in order to be effective at keeping people motivated and safe. They need to be confident and feel at home in the outdoors. It is expected that any great outdoor leader should have a love for nature and possess a substantial knowledge about it. They should be adept at communicating well with others and possess team-building abilities. It would be wise for any outdoor leader to be well-versed in first aid for situations that could happen in an outdoor environment.

Competence
- Navigation through water rapids and wilderness requires extreme skill.
  
  An outdoor leader should possess competence in several aspects. Leading a group of people through the wilderness, no matter how many there are, may lead to accidents and dangerous situations. A leader who is well-prepared with first aid knowledge will be able to help stabilize someone who is hurt. A knowledgeable guide will be able to keep a cool head during danger, delegating tasks to everyone in order to help the entire group move to safety.
Communication
- People feel safe following someone with confidence.
  
  Outdoor leaders cannot be afraid to communicate. They should be good listeners in order to understand how each individual in the group is feeling throughout their experience in their surroundings. They need to have courage to speak up against any behaviors that could harm the group or themselves. Speaking directly and clearly at all times, as well as delegating to others what is needed, requires expert communication. Another important aspect of communicating is keeping everyone upbeat and positive, no matter the situation.
Functionality Under Stress
- Outdoor leadership requires keeping a cool head in extreme situations. These situations can come in several different forms. Close contact with wildlife may happen by accident and a good leader will respond appropriately, with the intent to keep everyone calm. Another extreme situation could start out as a simple miscommunication or conflict between several people in the group. It takes skill to turn challenging instances like these into positive opportunities. A good sense of humor might be helpful. Above all, making quick purposeful decisions under stress and pressure is a must.
Knowing Limits
- Outdoor leaders are responsible for promoting safety for everyone.
  
  It is important to be aware of physical and emotional limits when leading others in the outdoors. Pushing the group beyond their individual abilities can be dangerous. A leader must be aware of how far their own fitness level can take them. If the leader doesn't stay strong and in good condition, exhaustion and injury can occur. It is a good idea for a leader to ask the members of his group how they are feeling and what they need. Everyone in the group needs to feel encouraged and part of a team that will not leave them behind. An effective outdoor leader can make this happen by making wise decisions along the way.

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