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

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

A good leader knows how to serve. Service leadership is a great way to see how influential a leader can be with their own team. This can improve the team in so many ways.

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

Ah, so many. Listener Coaching Team, Internship Team - both these teams work tirelessly to support each other as well as everyone participating in the programs.

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

I can become a better servant by communicating well and being patient. With these qualities, I want to be able to help others grow as well as grow for myself.

@Heather225

Service leadership is a type of leadership where power is shared and the needs of others come first to develop more. For example, someone who loves posting on forums becoming a forum supporter. I could be a better servant by improving myself as a listener through trainings and practicing self care more often

I have always felt that “service leadership” best describes my ideal vision of leadership. I believe that it is the absolute most valuable way for an individual to contribute to their community. An example of service leadership that I have seen here on 7Cups is that of the mentor listener system. I deeply appreciate that experienced listeners volunteer their time and energy in order to elevate other listeners, to help them grow and flourish. I think that a key distinction between “traditional leadership” and “service leadership” is that servant leaders seek to elevate new leaders, whilst traditional leaders might instead try to impede the way to leadership for young members of their group. I love that on 7Cups, we are encouraged and guided towards leadership.

I can become a better servant to our community by dedicating myself to a daily routine—to completing a certain number of tasks or spending a certain amount of time offering my love, time, and energy to the members of this community, no matter what those contributions look like (member chats, safety patrol, interacting in forums or chatrooms).

@Heather225

For me, the idea of Serice leadership isn't to draw a sharp distinction between a servant and a leader. For me its about diminishing the line. It's only when each individual as part of the community is made realized that he/she owns a certain part of the community, that sense of ownership itself drives the force of responsibility and giving your best towards your part.

I have interacted with quite many listeners who take their time out being incredibly patient with me and other members. I think this serves as a fine example of keeping people's needs before yours and toiling well towards the part you are supposed to play.

I for one have been more inclined towards handling member chats and I do that with every inch of positivity and patience I got.

@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?

I think the idea of service leadership is a great one! You should spend time working on things that excite you, especially if you're choosing it (it's not mandatory). An example of service leadership would be listening to members in the Sharing Circle and supporting them! I love it when other members or listeners enter just to support the ones sharing.

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

By being nicer to ourselves! Taking an example from 7 Cups, you won't be able to help other members if you don't give the same compassion to yourself. Also, you should do work that you enjoy! It shows in your work and makes others enjoy it more.

What do you think of the idea of service leadership?

I love it! Service leadership sounds like a much more community-oriented way to lead, which really suits our community oriented work. We want to build each other up, not climb to the top, and we want to entrust others with more responsibilities and power so they too can better serve our community, not consolidate it for our own gain. Servant leadership sounds like the leadership syle 7 Cups would benefit from the most

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

When the many teen stars set clear boundaries for taking member chats, and choose to take self care breaks to focus on the workload they can handle, they show service leadership by performing their roles well while ensuring that they do not take on more than they can manage.

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

I can continue to slowly pick up leadership roles at my own pace, and help out only in the areas I'm interested in. I can also take regular self-care breaks, and set healthy boundaries with my members to take care of myself and stop myself from burning out

Service Leadership requires skill and so much compassion and it is admirable when someone takes on that role in their life. I think it's fantastic and a real show of character on behalf of that person. It also just benefits so many people 🙂

I would say an example of this within the 7 cups community is a peer supporter or a mentor. Both of which further help the listners who are struggling and that's an amazing thing to do.
As for what I am going to do to be a better service leader, I have literally just yesterday become a peer supporter so im learning and adapting to my role to become a better service leader 🙂

@Heather225 I think this is a good idea. I sauy so because it's not that only our followers need to contribute to society, we, the future leaders shall do it as well. Our duty is not only to be in charge of people's actions but we need to make sure they have their rights and comforts.

As for example that we could see here in 7 Cups, there are available listeners and forums. Listeners provide the best service by listening and discussing our problems. Hosts here are very friendly, kind and concerne towards people and they literally have the best approach to the fellow members in a forum. It shows that service leadership needs to be emulated by us.

I could be a better "servant" to our community by supporting and attending forums and replying posts with positive words. I also could create some beautiful quotes and sayings that might motivate people.

What do you think of the idea of service leadership?

Service leadership is the right leadership to have with 7cups since everyone feels involved, cared for, and can strive to hit the same goal of letting people feel heard and tear down the stigma around mental illnesses and educate people.

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

Anyone can make a forum post; under moderators, and this is really nice to know that both members and listeners can contribute their own input; their own questions and insight to make the site more diverse, and everyone can feel heard.

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

I will be more active in the "needs reply" section so that I can help others feel heard and accepted. I'll seek work and do the work.

What do you think of the idea of service leadership?

—> I really like the idea of service leadership, I actually think it’s great. As a leader your main focus and priorities is others and influencing others. Service leadership shows the importance and value of being kind and being empathetic, as well as the importance of helping others.

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

—> There are so many examples of service leadership on 7 cups, however one that stands out to me the most and is most seen is listeners! Listeners dedicate and volunteer their own time to help others. They do it with grace and don’t ask for anything in return. The listener journey is not always easy, and it’s easy to forget that listeners are just human and also have their own issues. I truly think listeners are amazing people!​​​​​​​

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

—> I can become a better ‘servant’ by simply just taking this course, to allow for my leadership skills to grow. By growing and developing my leadership skills it will allow me to be more help for others and to grow more!