Course 2: Becoming a 7 Cups Leader - (Discussion #1) Welcome to Course 2!
Please note: In order to successfully complete Course 2, you must respond to this post. Your comment/response should answer the questions/shows that you completed the given activity (if any). Read the post carefully and follow the instructions given. Save your responses to a document that you can later refer to. You will need to copy/paste your response in the course evaluation form at the end of each course to show that you have done the work and to refresh your memory.
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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.
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Question: 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?
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What do you think happens if you, a 7 Cups leader, have an imbalance of these? How do you think having too low of expectations, or too little warmth, will impact:1.) the community: 2.) impact how you work with your fellow leaders?
Having too low of expectations means community wouldn't be able to trust you with being reliable and that would harm the growth of the community & your own. Too little warmth would lead to you being less approachable and might harm the supportiveness & positivity of the community. It creates an imbalance in the community which isn't good.
@River I couldn't agree more with you! Overall, I think it is safe to say that low expectations / low warmth yields in a disruption of what the 7 Cups community stands for.
What do you think happens if you, a 7 Cups leader, have an imbalance of these? 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?
Having an imbalance can be really harmful.
The part I've always personally loved about 7cups is how it does find that balance of high expectations and high warmth. I like to think we can't have one without the other. If we are lacking in one, the outcome is chaotic.
It helps the community stay engaged, its closely tied to expectations. Warmth plays its part too. Helps it grow and reach more goals. And keep coming back and supporting itself.
It impacts relationships with other leaders too. Warmth is a key factor in this. Do I show trust and support, and do I get that back? Am I accountable and staying kind? Expectations helps out in this too.
@AstronomySkies
I totally agree we can't have one without the other. If we are lacking in one, the outcome is chaotic. warmth
@AstronomySkies
I like the way you implied "what goes around, comes around" and so if I give love and support, then in return I receive love and support, creating an endless cycle of love and support!
I think if you have an inbalence of:
High expectations, low warmth:
1.) This would impact the community by showing them that you can put out what you need ot, but you may not be super empathetic, or friendly to others. You may be somebody who can put out xyz, but can't give out the compassion you could if you had high expectations as well.
2.) This would make other leaders think of you as reliable, able to reach milestones, and somebody who can get their work done, when it is needed. They may also find it hard to build a realtionship with you, as you may not be the most approachable person.
Low expectations, high warmth:
1.) This would impact the community by showing them little support. This is becuase the effort you are putting in won't be as helpful to members because the things you are putting into the community are not the best they could be. (Becuase you have low expectations.) They may find your work supportive/kind, but not super helpful.
2.) This would impact your work with fellow leaders by making it hard for them to rely on you. Without high expectations, you don't believe anything is needed of you so you are unreliable, and what you do may not be of good quality, or on time. However, people find you easilty approachable, and easy to communicate/build connections with.
@cocoakrispies121 I appreciate how you described both scenarios (high expectations & low warmth and vice versa)! :)
@cocoakrispies121
well explained spies. also any imbalance is sure to be harmful for the community
@cocoakrispies121
Very well described!
Question: What do you think happens if you, a 7 Cups leader, have an imbalance of these? 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?
As a 7 Cups leader, an imbalance of high expectations and high warmth can yield low leadership performances.
Low expectations can impact the community by having a low standard for how listeners and members act and react towards each other. Lowe expectations can impact my work with fellow leaders by discouraging holding fellow leaders accountable for the roles and expectations that they are expected to follow.
Low warmth can impact the community by discouraging a safe space for listeners and members to support one another. Low warmth can impact my work with my fellow leaders by making myself less approachable and thus more difficult to work with.
@smilingsnapples
i could really relate to what you said about low warmth effecting the community as making it less of a safe space to give and recieve support... *-*
warmth in enviroment "is" really a big factor in a safe place &-&
@smilingsnapples
Yes, having a high standard is very important. :)
@smilingsnapples
I agree with your post 100% of the way. It is important to have the balance so that progress is made. So there is accountability, and so that there is a safe place for everyone to come to us as leaders!
@smilingsnapples
Totally with you!
@Heather225
What do you think happens if you, a 7 Cups leader, have an imbalance of these? 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 as a 7cups leader have an imbalance in those areas i believe that it will affect alot of listeners who are under my leadership.
Having too low of expectations or too little warmth will affect the support system in the community entirely since alot will depend on your leadership and guidance.
It will affect how i work with others through not providing enough support and not developing the right direction for the group.
@Asruu
u r rt asru any imbalance will lead to poor performance of the team
@Asruu
This is the fact. I like it...
Agreed @Asruu ! Also, I look forward toworking with your more. <3
@JaimieF
Looking forward to working with you more too Jaimie! You are a great co-host 
@Asruu I thought you did a great job actually focusing on how it would effect you, yourself, as a leader. Fantastic work!
@CompassionateDreamer8522
Thank you very much
@Asruu
Great answer!
@Asruu
Wise words.
100% agree !
@Asruu
A very simple and amazing way of putting together your response to the question! Amazing reply!
@Asruu That's true! It's not only leaders that would be affected but the whole system. I agree with you!
You're correct, fantastic answers!
Nicely written. Great answer!
Question: What do you think happens if you, a 7 Cups leader, have an imbalance of these? 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 an imbalance of these , i wont be able to perform to my potential nor will be able to develop my potential
1) having too little warmth or expectations will result in a weak community which will neither develop itself nor the members. Too low expectations will put all in a comfort zone and none will be able to grow and develop their potential and too little warmth will instill a n insecurity in team and all will fear to fail and hence wont bring any new thought to the work
2) in such situation, team will neither respect their leader in longterm nor have that faith in them
and neither can i develop faith , trust in my team to follow me and have faith in me to take steps to develop themselves and contribute efficiently for betterment of the community
@blissart
I agree with what you have mentioend. Balance is the key to work efficiently and effectively.
@Magicallykermit58
definitely. There should be a balance in everything!
@blissart
Nice job!
@blissart
I definitely agree that having a balance is important if we want to see growth in the community. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
@blissart
You mentioned an important point "faith". It's essential to make a group work well.
@blissart I agree. A balance is really important.
@blissart
I totally agree it makes perfect sense
@blissart This makes so much sense, especially the bit about maintaining a proper balance. Take care <3
@blissart
I totally agree with everything that you said!!
@blissart
Absolutely! And rightly put - balance is key!
@Heather225
As a 7Cups Leader, if I have low expectations, it will lead to insufficiency and a bad credibility as a leader where the reliability and work efficiency is concerned. If I have low warmth it will be difficult to work in the community as well as a low chance of making friends and getting along with other leaders.
@azuladragon34
Exepctance and productivity are indeed related.
@azuladragon34
Well said.
@azuladragon34
That's a great answer. How do you think it will impact the leaders in your team if you have high expectations but low warmth, and low expectations but high warmth?
@azuladragon34
I totally agree, great answer! I like that it's straight to the point.
I agree, amazing answers!
@Heather225
What do you think happens if you, a 7 Cups leader, have an imbalance of these? 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) I think that if I don't have enough expectations or warmth for the community then I wouldn't feel as strong a sense of belonging as I do with 7 Cups currently. 7 Cups has an amazing sense of community and everyone I talk to has been absolutely amazing and I don't think I'd be as happy with 7 Cups as I am now.
2) If I don't have a high level of expectations or a high level of warmth I don't think working with others would be as efficient or productive as it could be. I want to have great relationships and be able to rely on/have others rely on me for anything!
@LittleBirdie30 well said. The balance is what brings the whole community together and makes the work smoother.
@LittleBirdie30 I love your emphasis on the community. <3 I look forward to seeing you lead it!
@LittleBirdie30
I definitely agree that they high level of warmth that we have as a community helps bring us together so that we can feel supported in our roles, no matter what they might be.
Question: What do you think happens if you, a 7 Cups leader, have an imbalance of these? 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?
Balance is very important to keep self motivated and be productive.
So an imbalance to either low or higher side will create an environment that will be either too relaxed or too hectic for me to be effective in. Making what I do either not up to the make or me having massive burnout.
I think in case of community it will have a similar impact.
@Magicallykermit58
i love how you covered the part i completely forgot to even think about !
we usually know how low expectations would have a bad comeout but also higher than needed would make us end up feeling burnt out *-*
@Listeningsarinn
Yea, having too much of anything can have its down side :)
We often overlook the fact
@Magicallykermit58 love that!
@Magicallykermit58
I love your points!
@Heather225
late reply :( checked my inbox only now!
low expectations effects:
1) the community by preventing growth and making it hard to make progress as a whole community
2) the team and team work as it would make it difficult for team mates to count on me to get their my own job done or count me in for help if they need it from me
low warmth would effect:
1) the community as it would change every task every one does, to a "have to do" instead of a "want to do"
2)the team work by making the good and effective communication go away, and an outcome organization would also dissapear, giving us many "individuals" instead of a "team"
@Listeningsarinn
Hi Sarinn! I really like your points! I totally agree that low worth might make a task "have to do," rather than "want to do," and we might not work as a team. Very well written!
@hopedreamlove
Thanks hope!
and yayyy for the team work *~*
