Course 2, Discussion 3: High Expectations and High Warmth
Congrats! You made it the second course in the LDP! In this course, we focus on the specific interpersonal skills needed to be a strong leader on 7 Cups, including mastery of communication skills, time management, conflict resolution, stress management and empowering new leaders.
I know if you are here, you have read our values and culture guide. I would like to start off by further emphasizing one value that's required for a leader to be successful here, and that is balancing High Expectations & High Warmth.
Work environments with high expectations and minimal warmth tend to result in companies that are very driven, rule-oriented and risk-averse. The people do not tend to grow as much personally or professionally. On the other hand, workplaces that are high in warmth, but have minimal expectations, tend to struggle. Everyone is happy and feels loved, but not a lot of effective or focused work gets done.
7 Cups is high expectations AND high warmth. We expect a lot from you. You might feel like we think you are more capable than other people have suggested or maybe even more capable than how you see yourself. That is okay. Every person on the team has outperformed and done better than they expected. This is largely because warmth, patience, and trust help people make much more progress than they have in other environments. We have high expectations, but we will provide plenty of encouragement and guidance to help you get there.
✒️ What do you think happens if you, a 7 Cups leader, have an imbalance of expectations and warmth?
✒️ How do you think having too low of expectations, or too little warmth, will impact 1.) the community, and 2.) impact how you work with your fellow leaders?
✒️ Please reply to at least 1 of your peers in this thread with encouraging or supportive words!
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@FrenchToast
I think that having an imbalance of expectations and warmth will lead to many different conflicts and contribute to a hostile environment, thereby making me an inefficient leader.
When high warmth is portrayed, members of the community feel welcomed and supported. However, when accompanied by low expectations, it can result in a lack of boundaries and hinder personal growth/progress. Conversely, high expectations generate a sense of direction and inspire intentional actions that are based on the community's values and mission. In spite of that, too little warmth can create a lack of trust, communication and connection among both members and peers.
As it relates to working with fellow leaders, an imbalance of expectations and warmth may cause disorganization and stagnation, or disagreements, resentment and lack of teamwork. It is undoubtedly crucial to have both high expectations and warmth because it sets a good example to fellow leaders and the community, and fosters a congenial environment that flourishes.
@hopefulDew435 I totally agree with how little warmth could affect the communication and understanding that happens among people. That would definitely make people more distant from each other.
I think an imbalance will result in poor relationships and not much work getting done.. this could affect the community by people getting frustrated and relationships breaking down.
@Tracey12345 Yes, I agree and relationship building is key to a group's success.
@FrenchToast ✒️ What do you think happens if you, a 7 Cups leader, have an imbalance of expectations and warmth?
✒️ How do you think having too low of expectations, or too little warmth, will impact 1.) the community.
There needs to be a balance of expectations as well as warmth. If expectations are too low people would not reach their true potential to become the best versions of themselves. This is rather upsetting since there will be people in the community who have high capacity yet are underestimated so the true skills and talents are hidden or unknown.
On the other hand lack of warmth will cause the community to feel devalued and insignificant. They will not like their 7cups activities because it will be too stressful for them without any support or advice. This could cause them low motivation, low productivity and they might even quit the tasks in general because it is too stressful.
and 2.) impact how you work with your fellow leaders?
@Snowpudding (sorry about that the message was sent too fast)
impact how you work with your fellow leaders?
Due to low expectations me and my fellow leaders might not try to push the organization to become better by underestimating its potential status. This would mean I would work with my leaders only to uphold the current status of 7cups without striving for the betterment of the future.
Low warmth could mean me and my fellow leaders might not have productive communication, understanding and companionship. This would result in 7cups leaders being rather competitive and only thinking about their own success in the organization rather than collective group success. This would be detrimental since 7cups strives on being a friendly organization with people working together for the betterment of society.
An imbalance of expectations and warmth could result in a less effective team/group. If expectations are too high or too low and the group members don't feel valued and respected, the effectiveness of the team's goals might greatly be hampered. Too much warmth and not enough expectations might result in a lack of focus and clear goals, maybe resulting in the group members feeling there is no one actually driving the ship. The team members might feel most secure to share and learn while being productive with a good balance of leadership. Also, having too low expectations might result in other groups or leaders having to pick up the slack if the group has not completed their assignments. This could lead to confusion or responsibilities and resentment if not clearly communicated.
@Maebyb
Thank you for sharing these insights in such a concise way. You thought of some consequences that I hadn't considered myself.
Best wishes on your journey!
✒️ What do you think happens if you, a 7 Cups leader, have an imbalance of expectations and warmth?
If there's an imbalance of expectations and warmth, it can either lead to a non-compassionate and draining environment or a situation where listeners aren't living up to basic standards.
✒️ How do you think having too low of expectations, or too little warmth, will impact 1.) the community, and 2.) impact how you work with your fellow leaders?
If I have too little expectations, my fellow leaders wouldn't receive the proper training and their development would be stunted. The quality of member chats would decline and less people would seek out 7 Cups for emotional support.
@FrenchToast
What do you think happens if you, a 7 Cups leader, have an imbalance of expectations and warmth?
If a 7 Cups leader has an imbalance of expectations and warmth, it can lead to two main challenges, depending on which side is overemphasized:
1. High Expectations with Low Warmth
Impact on the Team: This approach might create an environment where team members feel pressured, unsupported, or even undervalued. Leaders who push for high performance without enough warmth can unintentionally foster anxiety and stress, which often reduces morale and engagement. Team members may feel they're only valued for what they can achieve, not for who they are, and might hesitate to ask for help or express concerns. Over time, this environment can lead to burnout, higher turnover, and a lack of trust within the team.
Impact on Performance: When people feel unappreciated, they tend to be less motivated. Their creativity and willingness to take risks may decrease, as they might focus on avoiding mistakes rather than growing or innovating. This fear of failure can limit the team's potential.
2. High Warmth with Low Expectations
Impact on the Team: When warmth is present but expectations are low, the environment may be pleasant, but it might lack direction and drive. Team members may feel supported and valued, but without clear goals or a sense of accountability, they might become complacent or lack motivation to improve.
Impact on Performance: Without strong expectations, the team may struggle to make meaningful progress, complete tasks effectively, or reach high standards. This lack of focus can ultimately lead to underperformance, as people may not feel a sense of urgency or purpose in their roles.
The Ideal Balance: High Expectations and High Warmth
Balancing high expectations with high warmth creates a culture of trust, growth, and accountability. When team members feel encouraged and valued as individuals while also being challenged to reach their potential, they’re more likely to push themselves and support each other. They’ll feel safe to take risks, learn from mistakes, and grow in their roles, which leads to a more resilient, motivated, and high-performing team.
In essence, striking this balance builds a foundation where people feel both motivated and supported to do their best.
How do you think having too low of expectations, or too little warmth, will impact 1.) the community, and 2.) impact how you work with your fellow leaders
1. Impact on the Community:
Low Expectations: If the expectations are too low, community members may feel unchallenged and underutilized, which can lead to disengagement or a lack of motivation to grow. Without a clear push to achieve or improve, people might not reach their full potential, and the overall quality of support in the community could suffer.
Low Warmth: A lack of warmth can create a sense of detachment or impersonality in the community. Members may feel unsupported, isolated, or even judged, which could discourage people from reaching out or being active. Warmth is critical in a mental health support environment like 7 Cups because it helps build trust, openness, and comfort, which are foundational for people to feel safe and supported.
2. Impact on Working with Fellow Leaders:
Low Expectations: When leaders set low standards, it can create a culture of complacency within the team. Team members may feel that their growth or contributions are not valued, leading to decreased motivation, lower productivity, and less effective teamwork. It may also affect how seriously members take their responsibilities and reduce their drive to improve.
Low Warmth: Without warmth, working relationships can become transactional, strained, or even competitive. A lack of warmth can hinder collaboration and open communication, making it harder for leaders to support one another or work through challenges together. This could create a more rigid or tense environment, where people may be reluctant to share ideas or ask for help, weakening the sense of unity and teamwork.
Overall, high expectations balanced with high warmth creates an environment of growth, support, and accountability. This balance motivates individuals to strive for excellence while ensuring they feel valued and encouraged, which leads to a stronger, more engaged community and team.
@Moonstar2345
Your response is thoughtful and insightful! You've captured the potential impacts of imbalances in expectations and warmth very clearly. Your analysis of high expectations with low warmth highlighting issues such as burnout, disengagement, and decreased creativity is spot-on. It's true that when people feel unappreciated, they tend to lose their drive and focus more on avoiding mistakes than embracing growth opportunities.
Similarly, your breakdown of high warmth with low expectations is great. Without clear goals and accountability, people may feel comfortable but not motivated to push themselves. You really nailed how both imbalances can stunt personal and community growth.
The way you emphasize the ideal balance of high expectations and high warmth being crucial for creating trust, accountability, and growth is exactly what leaders need to strive for. Your points about fostering a sense of safety, risk-taking, and collaboration in this balanced environment make it clear why this approach is so effective.
I also appreciate how you connect these ideas to both community impact and leader relationships. Your explanation of how low expectations and low warmth would affect the community and teamwork reinforces the importance of maintaining both high standards and supportive, empathetic leadership. Well done!
Balancing high expectations and high warmth is essential for effective leadership, especially in a setting like 7 Cups. If a 7 Cups leader has an imbalance of expectations and warmth, it can lead to several negative outcomes:
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High Expectations, Low Warmth: This approach can create an environment where individuals feel pressured and unsupported. While people may meet expectations in terms of performance, they may do so out of fear or stress, rather than a genuine desire to improve. This can result in burnout, reduced morale, and lack of trust in leadership, which ultimately stunts personal and professional growth. In a community, it could lead to a toxic environment where members feel that their efforts are never enough, leading to disengagement and frustration.
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Low Expectations, Low Warmth: A leader with this combination might struggle to motivate or guide others effectively. With low expectations, individuals may not challenge themselves to grow or improve. Without warmth, there will be little emotional support or encouragement to build relationships. This can result in a lack of progress, a disengaged team, and possibly even feelings of isolation. Within the community, this could cause stagnation, as people may not feel inspired to contribute or connect with each other.
On the flip side, when a leader fosters both high expectations and high warmth, they create an environment where people feel supported but also challenged to achieve their best. It encourages growth, fosters trust, and drives meaningful engagement, which is beneficial not only for individual development but for the overall community as well. Leaders can empower their peers by providing clear expectations while offering guidance, encouragement, and empathy—creating a healthy, productive work and community environment.