Cadence • Issue 3 • Fall • 2001
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LCol Keough learns a lot about cadets during informal chats in the training centre’s new dining hall.
Open door You can’t distance yourself from youth and still run a youth training centre or program.
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Positive communication helps an officer meet the leadership challenges of commanding one of our largest cadet summer training centres. Story and photos by 2Lt Lisa Currie ood leadership begins at the top and positive communication is key to it. That’s something LCol Charles Keough, the commanding officer of Argonaut Army Cadet Summer Training Centre in Gagetown, NB, has learned in his more than 25 years in the cadet movement. His open door policy and personal approach help keep him on top of issues that arise during the summer.
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And there are issues. LCol Keough is acutely aware from year to year of recurring challenges that test the overall morale at the training centre. He understands the physical, mental and emotional strains of training centre life — the staff stress levels after working numerous hours and trying to meet the demands of quality training and cadet safety. “I consider everything that goes on at Argonaut as my personal responsibility,” says LCol Keough. “Everyone needs to know that they have people concerned about their welfare. I would like every staff member and course cadet to leave with positive thoughts about Argonaut, the cadet movement and most importantly about themselves and what they’ve accomplished throughout the summer.”
And that’s where communication helps. He believes in active two-way communication and when staff and officers pass on their dayto-day concerns, he’s sincerely interested in what they have to say. By listening, he also learns his staff’s strengths. “Many of my staff come from diverse backgrounds and may have hidden skills. They may be able to assist other staff members around the training centre,” he says. “Some officers are computer programmers, graphic artists, photographers, teachers, managers, and students. They all have something valuable to offer.” He also looks for opportunities to communicate with cadets because he knows small words of praise — whether to band members at the morning flag raising or to the staff cadets he sits and talks with at meal time — can make a huge difference to a cadet’s day. He believes a good leader should be seen and try to participate, whether in mess functions or cadet sports events, as much as possible. This style of leadership contributes toward what the cadet program is all about. “The cadet program tries to build into young people a positive attitude about themselves,” he says. “I know some