Air Cadet Leadership Foundation Basic Intermediate Advanced A Structured approach to leadership in the Air Cadets Blue – Foundation Bronze – Basic Silver – Intermediate Gold - Advanced

Aims of this Lesson By the end of this lesson you will be able to: State what each of the letters in the Acronym “SMEAC” represent Give a simple explanation of what each part means in real terms. Be able to state what each of the letters in the Acronym “SMEAC” represent Be able to give an explanation of what each part means in simple terms

Hey, this could be the leader…

Leaders The world is divided as to WHAT makes a good leader. In the Air Cadet Organisation we are looking for people who can oversee and/or supervise tasks, make things happen, get things done. Which requires you to brief your team before you start. . . . . .

Aid to Briefing - SMEAC SMEAC is an Acronym – each letter represents a word or phrase to help you remember something. Acronyms are widely used in the Air Cadets (and in the military generally) to help you. SMEAC is a briefing tool. It is an ACRONYM – a word made up of the letters to help you remember the whole words and phrases which go make it up. Acronyms are VERY common in the military generally, and an the Air Cadets specifically

SMEAC SITUATION Give your team a lead-in to the current position and the task that lies ahead Keep it brief Make it relevant It needs to give everyone the big picture S Situation Give your team a lead-in to the current position and the task that lies ahead Keep it brief Make it relevant It needs to give everyone the big picture

SMEAC MISSION Explain exactly and carefully what is required - The TASK Keep this very brief and very simple M MISSION Explain exactly and carefully what is required - The TASK Keep this very brief and very simple

SMEAC EXECUTION If you have a good plan then go through it at this stage If you don’t know how to complete the task ask your team - but KEEP control If you have everyone’s ideas then YOU state the plan and ensure everyone knows what they are doing E Execution If you have a good plan then go through it at this stage If you don’t know how to complete the task ask your team - but KEEP control If you have everyone’s ideas then YOU state the plan and ensure everyone knows what they are doing

SMEAC ANY QUESTIONS? This Gives everyone a positive opportunity to ask questions in a supportive and non-threatening environment Don’t make fun of questions asked Keep order A Any Questions? This Gives everyone a positive opportunity to ask questions in a supportive and non-threatening environment Don’t make fun of questions asked Keep order

SMEAC CHECK UNDERSTANDING (Theirs!!) It is your responsibility to make sure that the team know what they are doing Think of the key questions to ask that highlight the important aspects of the task Finish with a positive message Off you go! C Check Understanding (Theirs!!) It is your responsibility to make sure that the team know what they are doing Think of the key questions to ask that highlight the important aspects of the task Finish with a positive message Off you go!

So for example...... We had Canteen break earlier, and the building now has litter on the floors. We are to sweep the litter from this room so that the building is tidy before final parade. Final parade is in ten minutes time. Cadet One can you bring a broom and gather all the rubbish in the middle of the room, cadet Two can you find a dustpan so we can pick it up and put it in the bin outside. Does anyone have any questions? Who is going to fetch the broom? Where do we need to put the rubbish? How long have we got? S: Canteen Break M: Litter in this room needs tidying E: One cadet will sweep the litter into a pile, another cadet with collect in dustpan and dispose A: Any Questions C: Check they know what, who, when, where, How.....

If the task is simple - keep the briefing simple. If the task is simple and straight forwards, keep the briefing the same.

An Initial Plan You need an initial plan. As you explain your plan it may become obvious it will not work. You might find that out as you get started. Do NOT be afraid to go back and start again with another method. You need an initial plan. As you explain your plan it may become obvious it will not work. You might find that out as you get started. Do NOT be afraid to go back and start again with another method. (Standing inside the box you intend to catch your sabre-toothed tiger in could give you a bad day!)

A little bit of planning can make a big difference. Are you coming hunting with us or are you gonna sit here all day inventing? A little bit of planning can make a big difference. Allow everyone to have their input, so everyone is happy with the teams plan. A little bit of planning can make a big difference. Allow everyone to have their input, so everyone is happy with the teams plan. (We probably went through MANY iterations between the Spear and machine gun, but the plan must have evolved somewhere)

As your plan evolves try to think ahead to what might go wrong, or not as well as you first thought. Some problems will become glaringly obvious while others may only become apparent as your method moves forwards. As your plan evolves try to think ahead to what might go wrong, or not as well as you first thought. Some problems will become glaringly obvious while others may only become apparent as your method moves forwards. (The wheel has existed for a long while and you have to wonder whether this image was painted on cave walls on “how not to”)

Check that everyone has understood Before setting off, check that all the team know exactly what is going to happen. (A common misunderstanding where one person hears something very similar to what was actually said).

Check that everyone has understood If everyone knows what is expected of them, the whole team can make good progress quickly. If people don’t listen or misunderstand then it can go rather badly wrong just as quickly. (No meal tonight – your supper just ran off!!)

If you are not getting what you wanted, explain again. “Oh! So now you want the moat OUTSIDE” If you are not getting what you wanted, explain again. If the task is not heading in the direction you wanted it to, stop. Explain again, and then make sure everyone has understood you correctly before re-starting. (The initial brief said “dig a moat”. Not stated, but to be inferred was that the moat needs to go outside the walls)

Scoring & Passing We will be looking at TEN aspects of how you perform as the leader in an exercise. If you score “1” on anything you will need to try again and be re-assessed. You need to score 30 or more on your lead. Pass TWO exercise leads to qualify for the Blue Leadership Badge. Scoring against TEN aspects of your leader in an exercise. ANY “1” you will need to try again and be re-assessed on another exercise. You need to score 30 or more on your lead. Pass TWO exercise leads to qualify for the Blue Badge.

Ten Elements Did the team leader follow “SMEAC” as a briefing tool? Were ALL the limitations mentioned? Was the time limitation mentioned then monitored? Was there an initial plan? Did the team leader re-evaluate if/when things went wrong Did the team leader follow “SMEAC” as a briefing tool? Were ALL the limitations mentioned? Was the time limitation mentioned then monitored? Was there an initial plan? Did the team leader re-evaluate if/when things went wrong

Ten Elements Did all of the team know what was meant to be happening? Were limitations monitored? Was the leader confident? If you had just entered the room, would you be able to tell who was in charge? Was praise/encouragement given when necessary? Did all of the team know what was meant to be happening? Were limitations monitored? Was the leader confident? If you had just entered the room, would you be able to tell who was in charge? Was praise/encouragement given when necessary?

Team Work ALSO noted on your record: “Did the cadet provide useful help?, or Hindrance?, to other cadets’ leads” At Bronze, Silver or Gold, being a hindrance will make you fail. ALSO noted on your record : “Did the cadet provide useful help or Hindrance to other cadets’ leads” At this level – simply noted (for the future) At Bronze, Silver or Gold being a hindrance will make you fail

Team Work Team Work is essential. You may be the team leader at some times, at others you will be in the team. Everyone in the team is needed. Everyone needs to be able to play their role. Team Work is essential. You may be the team leader at some times, at others you will be in the team. Everyone in the team is needed. The Team cannot succeed without everyone doing their bit Everyone needs to be able to play their role.

Team Roles Give people roles to fill – Jobs. Someone to help keep an eye on the time. A deputy in case you “die” during the exercise. Someone to monitor the limitations which are mentioned – bits you can touch, or avoid etc. Give people roles to fill – Jobs. TIMEKEEPER : Someone to help keep an eye on the time. DEPUTY : in case you “die” during the exercise. QA : Someone to monitor the limitations which are mentioned – bits you can touch, have to avoid etc

Do You have Any Questions?

Aims of this Lesson By the end of this lesson you will be able to: State what each of the letters in the Acronym “SMEAC” represent Give a simple explanation of what each part means in real terms. Be able to state what each of the letters in the Acronym “SMEAC” represent Be able to give an explanation of what each part means in simple terms

Humour with kind permission of Gary LARSON’s “Far Side” Jim UNGER’s “Herman” and Mike BALDWIN’s “Cornered” Reproduced with the written consent of the three Artists.