Course 2: Becoming a 7 Cups Leader - (Discussion #2) Service Leadership at 7 Cups

@QuietMagic

Admirable! We can t thank you enough.

I agree with you🥀

@RedGlowingButterflee Hi--I agree with what you're saying. Just restating your points in my own words:

The word "serve" feels pretty problematic/uncomfortable. It feels really cold to imagine listeners as "servants" obeying their masters or waiters "serving" customers in fearful obedience to a domineering employer. From the point of view of the listener, it feels like it undercuts their freedom and dignity. From the point of view of the member on the receiving end, they're not looking for a servant so much as just a caring/helpful human being. Listeners shouldn't "serve" so much as just freely offer support out of the goodness of their heart. Both listeners and members benefit when they're able to relate to one another as equals.

If the word "serving" feels gross because it has other connotations/meanings, then you can replace it with something else. That's just the word that was used by the person who came up with the general leadership concept.

Once you get past the wording, the basic idea is just that people who are in leadership positions should think of their role as helping others... as opposed to it being some kind of self-centered ego/power trip where it's like, "Haha, I'm the leader! Now, all of my puny minions, cower in fear and bow before my awesome presence. Give me the riches and adoration that are due to me."

So yeah, I feel like we're all on the same wavelength.

Re: getting banned, if that does happen it won't be because of the ideas/feelings you're expressing so much as the way in which you're expressing them. It's totally okay to be upset or disagree with something (and like I've said I feel your points are valid), but calling another site user a Nazi or a cold [...] is an inflammatory/personal attack that doesn't really follow the spirit of rule #2 in the forum guidelines.

2. Unsupportive content including targeting or attacking other users in the community is not allowed. Disagreements may happen, but always maintain a respectful tone and try to move the conversation forward in an on-topic and constructive way. Sometimes this means agreeing to disagree.
https://www.7cups.com/about/communityGuidelines.php#forum

@QuietMagic

You have "translated" my words and my message much better...

What you put in italics is exactly what I meant and better written...

I thank you for your help...

@QuietMagic

It is tge essence of what I meant...

@QuietMagic

Myself I have the strength to pass over the wording but I am pisssed off with tge domineering and old phrasing.

I can pass over words bevause never in my life I allowed myself to be manipulated but I do npt want to see a heard of people manipulyed to manipulate other people again...

I appologise for my vehememence...and again I thank you for rephrasing...

I wish you well...

@QuietMagic

If you want to humble me, I am an actor, a mind bender myself and say:

"I am truly sorry for my out of place words"

I may be genuine or not but in this case I am truly sorry...

You do not squash a bug for not knowing any better...

You have my appologies...my remorses remain with me for the rest of my life to live with...

@Heather225

What do you think of the idea of service leadership?

I think its amazing and is the best kind of leadership. I love the idea of sharing power, putting the needs of others first and helping people develop and perform as highly as possible. It would create more space and oppurtunites of right people and talents to come up and would serve as an inspiration to people.

Can you list one example of service leadership you have seen on 7 Cups?

There are many, many areas in 7cups where you see service leadership. But one area that i would like to focus right now are listeners who are involved in the quality domain- the mentors, the listener coaches. They became wonderful listeners in 7cups and is helping others become a good listener too by sharing their knowledge, resources, tips and suggestions, its great.

How can you become a better "servant' to our community?

By reaching out and give back to the community. I reach out to new listeners or members in need whenever i find them, and help them as much i can. I might not be able to solve their problem (finding certain forum links, trainings, guides or sub community posts) sometimes but what matters to me is that i tried my best. I can also take up roles or participate in the activities.

@positivePumpkin22

I agree 100% that the quality domain is a great example of service leadership.

@positivePumpkin22

I can't agree more to this. Excellent answer!

@Heather225

1- I think the idea of service leadership is very important because it makes sure that the entire community benefits and not just one person. It ensures that peoples needs are met and that we work to help each other.

2- One example I've seen on 7 Cups would be the mentors or listener coaches who donate some of their time to new listeners or listeners who need some support in order to become a better listener. This helps the listener feel more confident in themselves and supported and also helps the community by creating better quality listeners.

3- I can become a better 'servant' to the community by taking more 1-1 chats which is something that I am trying to do, however I focus more on my forum supporter role and participating in member group chats as this seems to be my strength and I feel more confident in these roles.

@bookworm274 I can appreciate focusing on an area of strength. Yay for everything you're already doing!

@bookworm274 I agree with your first point! I would like to add on and say that service leadership is an important component of teamwork here at 7 Cups <3.

@Heather225

What do you think of the idea of service leadership?

The ideal service in leadership is to be there as the leader of my team. To answer any questions that a Member has, Help those who are needing to move forward in the team. A leader treats all on the team as an equal part becaused We each need one another to make our team grow.

Can you list one example of service leadership you have seen on 7 Cups?

One example would be how a Leader from a team I am on will write me to make sure I am doin g good, answer any questions and point out something I may have done wrong.

How can you become a better "servant' to our community?

To collaberate with my team and see what ideas We have to make the community grow.

I will mentor any on my team who may need some help.

@pamharley003

very much right when saying "We each need one another to make our team grow"

What do you think of the idea of service leadership?

Being a servant leader is a big part of who I am outside of 7cups. So, I think its a really amazing thing to be able to integrate here. I've worked in public service a lot these past few years, whether its working at a grocery, a food establishment, or learning how to be an EMT. One thing we always talk about is how we can be a leader for others in the community.

Can you list one example of service leadership you have seen on 7 Cups?

One big example that sticks out to me is the volunteer and helping out aspects of leadership and service. These two play hand in hand with the other. Someone I've seen grow in their listener journey alongside me, he was never interested in gaining the roles or getting the title, so he never tried for badges. And still to this day, has no badges like that. He's still very much a leader in the rooms whether to other listeners or to members. Not that having badges or anything is a bad thing. But his self-less ness and just want to help spoke to me, identified him as a leader.

How can you become a better "servant' to our community?

I want to better serve others and learn how I can best do that. Through feedback and working with others in the areas I focus in. Whether this is through mentorship, forums, or really any aspect of the site. I want to keep working to try my best. And hear from everyone else what I can keep doing better, for them and for me.

@AstronomySkies That's really cool that you have such a broad range of experiences to draw from.

That listener you're describing sounds amazing. It reminds me of a couple people I know in real life who are similar--just quietly doing good things, but comfortable not having people really know about it... almost as if the attention or accolades would be a distraction or side-quest that would get in the way of them doing what they want to do, which is help people.

@AstronomySkies

I loved your anecdote about your fellow listener. One of my role models when I first started out as a listener was a lot like the listener you described: focused not on roles/badges, but on supporting everyone that they meet. They may not be active on the site anymore, but I still look up to them as an example of what leadership looks like!

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 that service leadership is super important to 7 Cups! It is something that only works if everybody is on board, which makes teamwork and making relationships with other leaders is super important. One example of service leadership is a leader putting time into general requests! They are serving others, while being a leader of the community.

How can you become a better "servant' to our community?

I could be a better "servant" by picking up some more general requests, and putting more time into member chatrooms :)

@cocoakrispies121

I think teamwork and building relationships is very important, too.

@cocoakrispies121

'They are serving others while being a leader of the community'. Nicely put, I couldn't say it better. Putting time on 7 cups is a good way to commitment.

@cocoakrispies121

I agree that taking more 1 on 1 chats can be an example of service leadership

@cocoakrispies121

A beautiful and honest reply

@Heather225

I loved this one!

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 great idea. Leading to serve the community better is such a good concept and view it. One could be forum & subcommunity leaders working together to make the subcommunity supportive place for everyone replying to posts, engaging in discussions, making posts.

How can you become a better "servant' to our community?

This course is one of the ways to improve myself and continuing to be consistent & learning from everyone getting the feedbacks.

@River

Riverrrrr! I love how you mentioned feedback here. As leaders, it is important to gain an understanding of how our efforts are benefitting the community, and also actively listen to concerns that are brought up, so we can better address any problems that arise as a part of how we are serving the community.

@River, I think forums and sub-coms are an asset to our community, they're very helpful and can bring us all together!

@River

Loved the how you can become a better leader response. So true

@Heather225

1.What do you think of the idea of service leadership?

I really think service leadership is the best way to have a positive ripple effect in the community. Empowering and helping others to help themselves so that they can do the same as leaders.

2.Can you list one example of service leadership you have seen on 7 Cups?

The best example of service leadership for me is being a Listener Coach. Improving and coaching the skills of a listener to be better in listening.

3. How can you become a better "servant' to our community?

To be a better "servant': in our community is by learning, growing and empowering members/listeners for an optimistic and a positive outcome with growth.

@crystalclearnow I love your second answer's energy <3.

@smilingsnapples

Thank you!

Questions: What do you think of the idea of service leadership? Can you list one example of service leadership you have seen on 7 Cups?
How can you become a better "servant' to our community?

I think the idea of service leadership is something that is often overlooked in reality; this reality makes people who partake in it more admiring to my eyes. An example of service leadership that I have seen on 7 Cups is the steps listeners are willing to take to comfort their fellow listeners and make them feel in place.

One way I can think of becoming a better "servant" to our community is by committing a random act of kindness without the expectation of getting something in return. This can be in the form of many actions--one that comes to mind is taking a chat that another has had trouble with.

@smilingsnapples

u r rt apples. Its such an encouraging and pleasant feeling to see how listeners support their fellow listeners and newbies.

appreciate all ur support and efforts to build this community

I encourage you to do what you do🥀

@Heather225

What do you think of the idea of service leadership? Can you list one example of service leadership you have seen on 7 Cups?
How can you become a better "servant' to our community?

I think the idea of service leadership is absolutely incredible in all the ways.

The fact that a listener would go out of their way in volunteering to take on a leadership role to lead others and provide guidance is something very inspiring.

I think i can become a better servant to the community through providing as much help as i can in different roles that i took up while helping my fellow listeners in their listener journey.

@Asruu well said. It's all about giving back to the community

@Magicallykermit58

Thank you ❤❤

You are wonderful

Questions: 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 when a leader works by being Passionate, Engaging and Leading to Serve. The leader is comapsionate to the team, is a mentor to them, , is not selfish and takes decisions keeping the betterment of community in mind over their personal interests

A mentor or a coach is a good example of a service leader at 7cups

How can you become a better "servant' to our community?

Can become a better servant by supporting my fellow listeners and members in all my capacities and with all my experinece and trainings and going that extra step to encourage, support and instill the values of this community to newbies and those in need for any guidance in my curent roles as a quality mentor and a listener coach

@blissart being compassionate is key to be a good service leader. Thinking of others and working does make things more fullfilling

@Heather225

What do you think of the idea of service leadership? Can you list one example of service leadership you have seen on 7 Cups?
How can you become a better "servant' to our community?

To me service leadership is a wonderful idea. I have seen listeners attending to distressed members in the chatroom, after discussions and after sharing circles. To become a better ''servant'' to the community, you need to be a great listener and follow the rules and have no behaviour reports.