Today’s effective leaders stress collaboration, inclusion, and a commitment to improving the world around them. Girls themselves tell us that a leader is defined not only by the qualities and skills she hones but also by how she uses those skills and qualities to make a difference in the world—to achieve transformational change!
For this reason, the Girl Scouts Leadership Experience (GSLE) the framework for defining what girls do in Girl Scouting, how they do it, and who will benefit that was borne out of years of research and development—engages girls in three key activities: discovering who they are and what they value; connecting with others; and taking action to make the world a better place.
Three Keys to Leadership: The Activities Girls Do
In Girl Scouting, girls discover, connect, and take action as they become leaders. The entire Girl Scout program, regardless of the exact topic, is designed to lead to leadership outcomes (or benefits) that stem from these three keys.
Discover Key
Girls understand themselves and their values and use their knowledge and skills to explore the world. The benefits intended for girls from the discover key include:
Developing a strong sense of self
Developing positive values
Gaining practical life skills and practicing healthy living
Seeking challenges in the world
Developing critical thinking skills
Connect Key
Girls care about, inspire, and team with others locally and globally. Benefits for girls include:
Developing healthy relationships
Promoting cooperation and team-building
Resolving conflicts
Advancing diversity in a multicultural world
Feeling connected to their local and global communities
Take Action Key
Girls act to make the world a better place. Benefits intended for girls include:
Identifying community needs
Working as resourceful problem-solvers
Educating and inspiring others to act
Advocating for themselves and others, at home and around the world
Feeling empowered to make a difference
The most powerful component of the take action key is, not only do Girl Scouts themselves benefit as they grow in their leadership skills, but communities, the nation, and the world benefit as well. Taking action translates to making the world a better place.