Many Scouts have served their communities and our nation as leaders in business and government, as well as volunteering in schools, service organizations, and houses of worship. What makes a good leader, and why are leaders so important? Judy Maggio sat down with Central Texas Eagle Scouts, including Cedar Park Mayor Jim Penniman-Morin, to explore this. You saw part of the conversation at the 2025 Distinguished Citizen Award Luncheon, but the group discussed much more, including:

• The Scout Oath calls on us to do our duty and help other people. Are these values important for being a good leader? Why?
• There have been several polls saying our country is divided, politically or otherwise, like almost never before. What role do you think leadership plays in helping us work through these divisions?

Please enjoy the group’s full conversation:

1:10 – What is the most important trait of a leader?
3:30 – How does the training as an Eagle Scout apply to leading a city?
4:30 – When have you used Scout training to solve an everyday challenge?
9:00 – Why is the value of “helping others” important as a leader?
12:00 – How do Scouting values help shape your life goals?
14:45 – How important are Scouting values in government?
17:00 – What lessons have you learned from Scouting leadership positions?
20:00 – How can what you’ve learned in Scouting help heal divisions in our country?
24:35 – What should people know about Scouting?