Course 3, Discussion 1: Service Leadership at 7 Cups
The term Service leadership (based on the philosophy of servant leadership, in which the main goal of the leader is to serve). Sometimes leaders or community members who help with projects receive high praise for their efforts (and they all deserve it) but this is never to take away or undermine the contributions of listeners who fly a little bit more under the radar. How one chooses to spend their volunteer time on 7 Cups is up to them & we love you all the same!
We've long said that if you want to be a mentor, be a mentor, eventually you'll get a badge. These service leadership roles are incredibly important to the functionality of our community. The individuals in these posts do an excellent job helping to keep our community safe and positive. I am very thankful for them.
Service leadership is simply about where you plan to spend your time. To those of you out there who focus 100% on member chats, we LOVE YOU! To those of you out there who focus on community programs, we LOVE YOU TOO! All of these contributions are equally valuable and important. As a collective community, our aim is to honor your contributions, no matter where or how they manifest.
In this vein, my hope is that you will remember 3 key things:
1. Self-care - always! Make sure self-care is baked into your volunteer work here
2. Don't take on more than you are able. If you don't have the bandwidth to do something, you owe it to yourself and the community to say no. It is 100% okay to say no. (And if you are asking someone to help you with a project, please do not get upset if someone has to say no.)
3. Remember that 7 Cups is an ecosystem. Every single contribution matters!
If you'd like to be in a service leadership role, my advice would be:
1. Pay attention to how others are contributing
2. Figure out what gets you excited in the community!
3. Once you have an idea of what gets you excited, dive in! You dont need to have a mentor badge to help out, get involved & start learning.
4. If you're not sure how to get involved, you can chat with a mentor or sign up for listener coaching.
5. Once you feel comfortable with your area of attention, apply for the appropriate mentor track.
✒️ Question: What do you think of the idea of service leadership? Can you list one example of service leadership you have seen on 7 Cups?
✒️ Please reply to at least 1 of your peers in this thread with encouraging or supportive words!
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Service leadership is a vital role in any community, but especially at 7 Cups. There are so many different communities at 7 Cups all with unique needs, members and listeners. The leaders make it possible for all the different communities to function at their best to ensure that the members' needs are best met.
One example I can think of is how helpful the leadership in the QLP have been for me when I first began mentoring trainees. All of them were always available for questions and I never felt uncomfortable reaching out for help.
@FrenchToast
What do you think of the idea of service leadership? Can you list one example of service leadership you have seen on 7 Cups?
Service leadership is a leadership style that focuses on the growth and well-being of individuals and communities. It prioritizes serving others, fostering empowerment, and encouraging collaboration rather than exerting authority or control. The core idea is that leaders should see themselves as stewards, working to support and uplift their team or community. This approach often results in more compassionate, inclusive, and effective leadership, as the leader focuses on the needs and development of those they lead.
On 7 Cups, service leadership is often demonstrated by the listeners. One example could be a listener offering compassionate, non-judgmental support during a tough conversation. A listener doesn't direct or control the conversation, but instead listens actively, providing a safe space for the person seeking help. By doing so, they empower the individual to express themselves, process emotions, and gain insight, all while offering empathetic care. This aligns with the essence of service leadership, where the listener serves to support and nurture the person in need
@Moonstar2345
Thank you for your insights. I absolutely loved how you described service leadership as being like a "steward". I couldn't agree with you more. Leaders are caretakers or maintainers of the community who should strive to leave behind a better environment through their presence and actions.
Best wishes on your journey!
✒️ Question: What do you think of the idea of service leadership? Can you list one example of service leadership you have seen on 7 Cups?
The idea of service leadership resonates deeply with me. To me, true leadership isn't about commanding from above but about putting your best foot forward, leading by example, and embodying certain values. Spending time in the Listener Support Room has given me countless opportunities to observe leadership in action. I see it reflected in the dedication of peer supporters, chat supporters, listener chatroom supporters, and others as they guide and assist their fellow listeners.