Communication Strategies Essay

In my experience, when addressing strategies and techniques for leading or interacting with youth at the corps, there are a few areas that need to be discussed:

Communication strategies. The main objective of communication, at all stages of adolescent development, is to communicate your needs effectively. As adolescents progress through the stages of development they acquire the tools necessary for effective communication. Thus, communication strategies will vary based on what particular stage of development an adolescent has reached. It is not surprising that a senior cadet in late adolescence can express themselves more clearly and efficiently than a junior cadet who is in early adolescence. Having an understanding of the characteristics and common factors associated with each of the stages of adolescent development

When determining expectations for the performance of youth, the leader must ensure they set achievable expectations that are appropriate and present a challenge to youth at all stages of adolescent development. For example, junior cadets are expected to arrive to training nights on time and wearing a uniform that meets the required standard, while senior cadets are expected to arrive to training nights with an excellent uniform and all assigned lessons prepared and ready to instruct. These expectations are appropriate and challenging to their individual developmental stages. Expectations must be clearly stated and consequences for not meeting them must be fair and aimed at correcting the youth’s failure to meet the required expectation. For example, when I was a divisional officer of the Basic Drill and Ceremonial course, cadets who failed to meet the required uniform standard attended uniform tutorial sessions during scheduled periods of make and mend and their uniforms were inspected the next day. This consequence is appropriate and aimed at correcting the failed