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Course 3, Discussion 1: Service Leadership at 7 Cups

FrenchToast December 5th, 2022

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!

After fulfilling the requirements of this post, please check out the next post here!


🔉This post is brought to you by the Leadership Development Program, find information on it here tinyurl.com/AcademyLDP

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AwarmHEART January 2nd

@FrenchToastQuestion: What do you think of the idea of service leadership? Can you list one example of service leadership you have seen on 7 Cups?

I believe that service leadership is serving others with respect as to lead a group or a community, respect for each other is crucial. The service leadership I have seen on here is room supporters. They need to balance the topics and listeners or memebers' interests.

1 reply
Lillom January 2nd

Thanks for your input once again! Great to see your views to the question!

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Lillom January 2nd

✒️ 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?

I think Service leadership where servicing comes first. An example seen on 7Cups, are listeners who commit to long-term weekly sessions with their members. They have the goal of serving the long-term needs of members, which creates trust between parties.

✒️ Please reply to at least 1 of your peers in this thread with encouraging or supportive words!

NewYorker11 January 8th

@FrenchToast

✒️ 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?

in my opinion, the idea of service leadership is a compelling venture, especially on 7 Cups where there are many ways to be of service, while being helped (i.e. mentors). one example of service leadership i have seen on 7 Cups from myself, as well as other listeners, is when listeners feel comfortable doing 1 to 1 chats, they do so - if not, there are other options like community posts and group chats to take part in.

1 reply
AuroraAstral January 27th

@NewYorker11

Love It friend keep on going!

~ Regan

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AuroraAstral January 27th

@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?

For me it is the act of which a leader serves in their community such as 7 cups and has that goal to serve among their peers. A teen star/chatroom mentor is an example of this. 

~ Regan  

1 reply
quietlistener2023 February 2nd

@ReganL  I think you summed it up nicely and explained it well.  Thank you and hope you will make a great leader

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DanCat1128 January 29th

✒️ 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?

🐆 A leader leads from behind. A team is as strong as the weakest link. If there is a need in the community it's up to the leader to pick up the slack. 

🐆I see the leadership in cups as the mentors coach the listeners who need help with their core 4 values. 

Tagging @daf8 whose helped me out along with many other listeners!!! 

@dreamicicle8467

Thank you for showing others how to be a better listener!!!!

quietlistener2023 February 2nd

@FrenchToast service leadership is the leader serving the community.  This is true leadership.  Forum supporters, mentors, and so forth forth are all types of leaders who serve the community on the website

1 reply
SilverSeastar February 6th

Hello, @quietlistener2023

Service leadership is true leadership, indeed. You provided great examples. 💙 Keep it up!

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SilverSeastar February 6th

✒️ 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 the difference between leaders and rulers.

One example of service leadership is what my fellow Academy Mentors for CDM do; they serve by managing and keeping the programme going. 💙

1 reply
serenePeace3726 February 6th

@SilverSeastar I feel like I'm playing follow the leader. I like how you said this form of leadership is about serving not ruling.

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serenePeace3726 February 6th

✒️ Question: What do you think of the idea of service leadership?

I think service leadership is a more impactful way of leadership. With the emphasis of leadership being on serving rather than leading.

I think this is very apparent on 7Cups, for example, the Academy mentors who are there to help those going through the program and in turn serving the community at large. 

1 reply
calmstrawberry0608 February 18th

@serenePeace3726

I really like your mindset of how leadership is more like serving rather than taking charge :)

Countrygirl095 February 20th

@serenePeace3726 very good job

@serenePeace3726 sounds insightful

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calmstrawberry0608 February 18th
Service Leadership is taking initiative to serve those around you. One prominent example of this are room supporters at 7cups because they strive to be there for those in need.
1 reply

@calmstrawberry0608 Hey congrats on making it to course 3! :)

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Countrygirl095 February 20th

@FrenchToastService leadership is a commendable concept that emphasizes the importance of putting others first and going above and beyond to provide assistance and support. One notable example of service leadership on 7 Cups is the role played by room supporters. These individuals go above and beyond to create a positive and supportive environment for everyone.


Room supporters play a vital role in fostering a sense of community and collaboration. They actively listen to others, ensuring that they feel heard and validated. They promote inclusivity and ensure that everyone feels valued and respected. By actively engaging in conversations and actively participating in group activities, room supporters help to create a harmonious and productive atmosphere.

In addition to fostering a sense of community, room supporters also take responsibility for ensuring the overall success of the room. They actively contribute to maintaining a positive and productive flow of conversation, ensuring that conversations stay focused and on topic. They actively engage in discussions, offering valuable insights and perspectives, while also encouraging others to do the same.

Furthermore, room supporters often go above and beyond to support those in need. They lend a listening ear, offering a comforting presence and a non-judgmental space for individuals to process their emotions and experiences. They actively reach out to members who may be struggling, offering guidance, support, and encouragement.

In summary, service leadership is a commendable concept that emphasizes the importance of putting others first. Room supporters on 7 Cups exemplify this concept by actively engaging in conversations, fostering a sense of community, and going above and beyond to support those in need. Their dedication and commitment to creating a safe space for everyone are truly inspiring.