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?
Activity: Please reply to 3 of your peers in this thread with encouraging or supportive words!
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@Heather225
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?
I feel like if my expectations are too low I may not be servicing the community or my fellow leaders at the highest level I can. Same goes for too little warmth, if I'm not treating others with love and respect in the community or in my team then I'm setting a negative tone and not allowing others to reach their full potential.
@AuroraBriarRose0
That is a key word; full potential. It is an unfortunate thing that a leader could hinder a follower's potential just by their unsupportive style of leadership. Excellent point.
@AuroraBriarRose0
Wonderful answer!
I liked it and agree with what you said!
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?
@GoldenNest2727
A lack of trust is a good point to mention. I totally agree on that point. I thought that competitiveness would be reduced in this case, but I may be wrong. It is good to hear other people’s opinions.
@GoldenNest2727
I'm so excited to see you being part of the leadership program, seeing you around the website I'm excited to see what you evolve as! So thrilling!
@Heather225
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.) The community will suffer as they will be
surrounded by people that have little or lack pride in their work and their
objectives in the case of low expectations. The lack of warmth may affect the
community as it may contribute to a lack of unity amongst the community.
2.) It may result in a lack of respect toward me
by my fellow leaders as they may contribute low work output by followers or low
motivation toward work by followers as a consequence of my leadership style. I
would need to take ownership of this and rectify the problem.
@Train1
Wonderful answer, I really liked that! Very thought-provoking!
@Train1
The point you made about lack of pride in work is really inspiring! High expectations means high goals. It could be really fulfilling to reach those goals.❤️
@Train1
Thats an amazing answer, Train. Precise and on point ❤
@Heather225
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?
1) The community would feel we are outdated in our practices and with a constant awareness of what could be deemed as offensive such as the term ‘hearing-impaired’ [which implies people with a hearing loss are broken] and as a result of this, we would have fewer people visiting our website as to avoid being offended.
2) Leaders would not work together as efficiently because due to the ever-changing technology out there, would provide opportunities for miscommunication and could potentially destroy the ongoing projects.
@FrenchMarbles
Great answer! Miscommunication could be fatal since people in 7cups chat online. Some texts might be misunderstood because we cannot see each other's facial expression
@FrenchMarbles
i enjoyed the part about ever changing technology i didnt even think about that :)
@FrenchMarbles
Think the link between expectations and efficiency is definitely key!
@Heather225
Hey Heather, thank you for making all the Course 2 posts, I think it is a really important topic! And not an easy question either. I will try my best to answer it!
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?
Answer: If I myself have an imbalance, the turnout is most likely to not be well. I want to expect the best of myself, even when it is hard to believe in it, and I want to treat everyone with warmth, make them feel safe and comfortable.
So how would it affect the community if I didn't?
Not having my expectations up for myself might lead to less quality in my actions. I am trusted to be a good leader, and I appreciate it more than I can say. But I need to always expect the best of myself. If I am not working towards leading in a high quality matter, this might confuse the community, maybe even hurt people. And that is the last thing that I want. The same goes for warmth. If I don't treat everyone kindly, people might think it is about them, which of course it wouldn't be, and many people on cups are very vulnerable. Making sure that everyone feels safe and understood is a high priority at all times.
If I don't expect the best of myself, this is very likely to have an impact on other leaders too. If I am acting unprofessional, leaders might think it is okay to do so, as many of us are role models to others as well.
If I don't treat them with kindness, I wouldn't be surprised if they feel low after chatting with me. Leaders are just humans as well.
In conclusion, I can say that acting with the most expectations of myself and treating everyone, leaders and peers or members alike, with warmth, is my first priority, to make sure no one gets hurt.
Thank you for reading this you amazing, wonderful leader! 💜
@MelodyoftheOcean
It's so true that leaders are just humans! I really appreciate the compassion you show through this sentence!
❤️
@MelodyoftheOcean
I really appreciate your honesty, Melody . I couldn't agree more on feeling safe and being understood. ❤
@MelodyoftheOcean
you really pointed out some really good points on what could happen. Keep up the good work. I really enjoyed reading your answers to the questions that Ldp asks. It been something I look forward to when ever I go to A next lesson.
@MelodyoftheOcean
As always, beautiful post! I loved your point about how as a leader you're setting examples for other leaders too and so low expectations quickly spirals out of control. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, I enjoyed reading them.
@MelodyoftheOcean
Really great points, sounds like you are a amazing leader!
@Heather225
I think that for a 7cups leaders:
low expectation would result in:
1) community: everyone feel happy and relaxed but community members cannot provide actually help to those who need and won't be motivated to improve themselves
2) leaders: cannot come up with creative ideas to solve real world problems, also might be inefficient
low warmth would result in:
1) community: works could be done but people won't be willing to put down their mask or thus improve their real self
2) leasers: tend to follow rules and finish task instead of providing high quality companion and really caring others
@Glencia89
Those are amazing points, Glencia. ❤
You pointed out all the crucial things.
@Glencia89
You point out so really good points. Keep up the good work.
@Glencia89
I really like how you said about a lack of motivation if there were low expectations. I think you're right, motivation disappears when you don't set yourself targets that stretch you :)
@Glencia89
i really enjoyed the part about putting down their mask and improving their true self :) great job!!!
@Heather225
What do you think happens if you, a 7 Cups leader, have an imbalance of expectations and warmth?
I think an imbalance in expectations and warmth as a leader would greatly impact my growth and performance as there would be lack of trust and dissatisfaction with my team members. Minimal risks would be taken which would result in projects worked wouldn't be much successful.
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) Low expectations in the community, would result in less urgency to grow and improve. Inefficient work, and lack of progress which would eventually lead to stagnation.
Low warmth in the community - Would greatly impact on trust , dissatisfaction not being able to express oneself, feeling of being treated like a machine.
2) Low expectations in leaders - Inefficient and ineffective performance, lack of development because very low risks taken. Being comfortable in comfort zone, and not thinking out of the box due to lack of encouragement. Less progress resulting in restricted growth.
Low warmth in leaders - Causing lack of trust and dissatisfaction with each other. There would even be lack motivation to succeed because there isn't much care and compassion. Feeling of being brunt out quicker due to lack of acknowledgement/appreciation.
@Harsvin
really well said. I agree with what you said here.
@Harsvin
Oh I didn't consider the impact of low expectations on risk taking, that's a really good point! I also really agree with your point about low warmth leading to burnout quicker. Having a warm, kind supportive network is crucial to self care :)
@gentleFox20
Thanks, Fox ❤
@Harsvin
GREAT READ DISCUSSION! i loved about the low development part! and being comfortable to grow. you deff understood the discussion and i would look forward to reading more of your points!
What do you think happens if you, a 7 Cups leader, have an imbalance of expectations and warmth?
It would not be a a good fit for me. I would feel unsafe and trusting issues would act up. I would get overSimulated and over.Whelmed. I need warmth and knowing what I need to do to be successful.
1 I think having low expectations would lead to confusing Of what needs to work on and a lot of. Leaders wanting to not. Do the work that is put me front of them.
2 I think low warmth would lead to a lot of mistrust and a lot fighting that leads to work not getting down.
@Goalsforlife
That's the point. If we ourselves are not comfortable here, then how can we support others. Hence the two points are very much required at high doses.
@Heather225
Low Expectations
1) People would not stretch themselves and grow, they would settle for ok and eventually the standards would be very low here.
2) I wouldn't take on much and would be of little support to my fellow leaders. They would be frustrated with me and it could create a rift in the team.
Low Warmth
1) I wouldn't offer a welcoming and friendly environment so people may be less open with me and it would shut down spaces instead of opening them up.
2) I would appear cold and distant which would make other leaders avoid me or feel like they had done something wrong. Again this would impact on collaborative work and getting the best out of cups.
🦊
I believe if you have an imbalance you will have a much harder time being successful and reaching your Maximum potential, having too low warmth will be problematic because it makes getting help and feedback a bit more difficult, therefore causing a decrease in quality.
@Kindhumanity
Absolutely! High warmth is crucial to be reached out to for feedback and questions and also to get feedback and answers yourself.