Course 2: Becoming a 7 Cups Leader - (Discussion #2) Service Leadership at 7 Cups
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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Being a leader at 7 Cups takes many forms. One thing every listener has in common is that we are all agents of service. Whether we are taking member chats or we are welcoming a new listener to the community, every unique contribution made by listeners is equally wonderful and valuable.
There are many ways to spend our  volunteer time at 7 Cups. Some of you will choose to focus on member chats and others will choose to be involved with our community programs, or both!  No matter which path, all contributions are considered incredibly valuable and special.
The term  Service leadership  (based on the philosophy of servant leadership, in  which the main goal of the leader is to serve)  can be explained in this way:  "Traditional leadership generally involves the accumulation and exercise of power by one at the top of the pyramid. By comparison, the servant-leader shares power, puts the needs of others first and helps people develop and perform as highly as possible."
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!
Leadership - Becoming a Teen Star, Mentor, Mentor Leader or Ambassador.
Weve long said⦠that if you want to be a mentor, be a mentor, eventually youll 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.
One misconception I have heard floating around is that once youre in one of these roles you need to do more, be more, show more, etc. The reality could not be any further from the truth. These roles signify contributions that are currently being made & are not about contributions we hope these individuals will make in the future.
Another way to think about this is - Â if youre accepted to be a mentor leader or ambassador, we will not be giving you more work. Our aim is to honor the work you have been previously/currently doing. In fact, wed love for you to add more self-care to your regular routine. These titles are reserved for successful project leaders & community members who are already involved in community engagement projects and actively making a positive impact. In some cases, we may give you more tools to do your specific projects more effectively.
In this sense, 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. Dont take on more than you are able. If you dont 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! Â
If youd 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 youre 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.
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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?
Activity: Please reply to 3 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! You must take part in the brainstorming/activities given in all of these posts to successfully complete the program.
This post is brought to you by the Leadership Development Program Team, find out more information about the program here.
@Heather225
Service leadership, to me, is doing any task with utmost conscientiousness, thus contributing to this community and setting a good example for others.
I would like to acknowledge and appreciate the listeners who take up chats with members who seem distressed in any chatroom and who might need someone to talk to. Especially when a fun conversation or activity is going on and a member does not feel okay, there is always a listener who offers to skip the fun to be there for the member and I think those gestures are inspiring.
I could be a better servant leader by being a better listener every day and trying to participate in the community more.
Thank you and looking forward to the next discussion! 😄
@Grace8402 I haven't actually been in member chatrooms, but that makes me really happy to know that when a member doesn't feel well, there's always a listener who's willing to skip the fun and help them. 
@Grace8402 I really love your own personal definition of what service leadership is! 
I love the concept of service leadership! Honestly, it makes me feel like more people would be engaged and we would be able to have/build a much better community. I think I can become a better servant leader by trying to be a bit more active in the community and making sure that everyone is comfortable.
@Grace8402
Great answer! Keep up the hard work in being a servant leader!
@Grace8402
I started my volunteering at 7 Cups as a listener and your kind words of appreciation for listeners really means a lot to me. Thank You, Grace! I wish you the best in your journey ahead!
@Grace8402
Completely agree with the example you shared. I've seen such listeners who skip the fun and dive in to help the distressed member! Reason why I'm proud to be part of this community!
All the best with your service wishes. You're amazing!
@Grace8402
What do you think of the idea of service leadership? Learn, teach and lead by example.
Can you list one example of service leadership you have seen on 7 Cups? When I came across a member who was abusive for the first time, I came to Listeners chatroom and told about the experience and then the way everyone came and tried to console me was totally unexpected. Later few shared their own stories and tried to calm me down. I wasn’t expecting that at all.
How can you become a better "servant' to our community? I believe in leaders being the servants and especially on platform like this. We grow by growing along with our peers in the community.
@Grace8402
I really like how you defined service leadership. I agree with you about how meaningful members' gestures can be!
@Grace8402
This is so accurate!! <3
(Love the colour palette as well!)
@Grace8402
you will amaze me with your answers. Well done grace
@Kindstar45
That's so kind of you! 😄🥰
@Grace8402
Wow Grace, two in a row, Your answers ae really good!
@Grace8402
I appreciate your honesty on how you wish to become a better servie leader and how you plan to do so. I agree ith your understanding of service leadership and am looking forward to us being great service leaders together.
Best of luck on your LDP journey!
@Grace8402
You could not have done better on this response!
You might need to give me lessons on writing in depth answers!
@Grace8402 that's awesome!
@Grace8402
Well said Grace-
I'm really glad that there are such amazing listeners here on 7 cups who are always ready to help the members whenever they are feeling low. They are always just one message away! You've brought up a really amazing point!
I think this is a great well thought out response
@Grace8402
I agree! Those listeners who step up in chatrooms are very valuable and not only make members' experiences better but make other listeners' experiences better.
@Grace8402
I agree! Good job Grace :)
@Grace8402
WOW grace! you have a great insight. Wish you all the best <3
@Grace8402
you're right, we can always improve for the well-being of ourselves and our community,
@Grace8402
service leadership is simply about where you plan to spend your time contributing to community
@Grace8402
I agree with everything you said here! I like that colour coordinated each individual section of the question too. :)
@Grace8402
@Grace8402
Great answer! Even I try to participate more in the community.
@Grace8402
It was very interesting to read your answer, well done for thinking your answer through thoroughly.
@Grace8402
Great answer! Whooho!
@Grace8402
Thats a really beautifull answer !
@Grace8402
i liked how you said serving to be a better listener everyday, as it takes practice continuously
@Grace8402
I like your personalized definition of what service leadership is! Makes a lot of sense.
Great work
@Grace8402
As a Mod, I see many members in chats and few Listeners. The listeners I do see are extremely supportive and take on as many quick chats as they can so the entire room feels. heard, I respect that so much with our listeners. I agree with your post that there should be a Listener in each member group chat so we know that members supporting members is just, but a listener there can also navigate supportive feedback
@Heather225
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?
I feel the idea of service leadership is great and it helps so many. .
One example would be a Listener who gives their time to take on member chats and also roles/badges that better their self and help others even better.. It is something that is so rewarding to give and not want anything in return but it does give so much in return like making us feel good about helping others and knowing we made someones day or just knowing maybe that someone smiled and felt better due to us being their for them.
How can you become a better "servant' to our community?
I try and give all I can but I do need to know when to slow done and step away and breathe and do self care and know if I am feeling stressed or having a rough day that I will not be able to support people the best I can ..
I want to go back to being more involved in the member chatrooms , as I am normally in the Listener Support room helping out . I miss the member chatrooms and how they use to be but I do see change was needed and changes can be good..
I do love the roles I have here and I am proud of my volunteering on the site . 
@Tyedyedbutterfly65
"It is something that is so rewarding to give and not want anything in return."
I love this because I feel that that's what 7 Cups is all about. We're people who want to help others and hopefully make them feel happy or heard and acknowledged.
Thank you for everything you do on 7 Cups!
@bookworm274 Thank you so much and you also I see so much about you !!
@bookworm274
@Tyedyedbutterfly65
Nice
@azuladragon34 Thank you
@Tyedyedbutterfly65 Always remember to take time for self care :)
@Mellietronx Thank you I do all the time.. I am not online out in the rooms or in pms for hours .. I step away and watch movies do real life things and never take on more than i can hanlde
@Tyedyedbutterfly65
You have rightly said about volunteers (especially listeners) at 7 Cups who want to help others but do not expect anything in return and about the need for self-care. I agree with you! I wish you the best in your journey ahead!
@shiningSound31 Thank you and I wish you all the best too !!
Tye
@Tyedyedbutterfly65
@Tyedyedbutterfly
lovely answer, I'm glad that you're enjoying the site and helping others.
@Tyedyedbutterfly65
Great answer, my dear friend!!! ❤❤❤❤
@Tyedyedbutterfly65 so true!
@Tyedyedbutterfly65
You have expressed your views so well! Loved reading it!! :)
@Tyedyedbutterfly65
I think it is an amazing concept which puts other's people needs first and it flattens the idea that a leader is a leader only because of his power and reputation.
One example of service leadership here on 7 Cups is a leader who just talks with upcoming leaders and helps them becomes what he has become.
@queenviebsonly
To becoming a better servent, I think that I should focus more on how I can become better and be more open to feedback because it is what can help me grow!
@Tyedyedbutterfly65
It was great reading your answer. Gave me some new perspective.
@Tyedyedbutterfly65
nice post :)
@Tyedyedbutterfly65
Great answer!
@kieran000 Thank you !!
Well put answer. Wishing you the very best
I agree totally
@Tyedyedbutterfly65
Volunteering on 7 cups is very rewarding, knowing you have helped someone can make you feel amazing, for me it does feel great to help out. I really enjoyed reading your answer to the questions.
@Tyedyedbutterfly65
Thats really an encouraging and informative answer !
@Tyedyedbutterfly65
i like how you said you wanna go back to member chats one on one, and you have been serving in the listener room. i think no matter where you are it shows you are giving service to those who are in need, and i think it doesnt matter where you are you will do great!
@magicalOcean594 Thanks so much ! I meant member group chatrooms I love how they use to be when I first came here. 😊
@Tyedyedbutterfly65
I try and give all I can but I do need to know when to slow done and step away and breathe and do self care and know if I am feeling stressed or having a rough day that I will not be able to support people the best I can ..
---I really agree with this statement because there are many members out there who need to be heard but we also need self care or we can cause ourself to feel burnt out. We need to feel our best and be at our best to help others who need that.
@Heather225
What do you think of the idea of service leadership?
I like the idea of service leadership. It's something that won't happen overnight, but once there is effort put into making it happen it will
Can you list one example of service leadership you have seen on 7 Cups?
One example of service leadership would be a listener who is passionate about the work that is being done here on 7CUPS and they would like to help as best as they can.
How can you become a better "servant' to our community?
By striving to understand other people's intentions and perspectives, being a team player and interacting with everyone involved in the community
@CheeryMango
i like ur idea how to be a better servant to community. Surely it requires high degree of compassion and leadership . U display both
@CheeryMango
Good answer
@CheeryMango You got this!
@CheeryMango
Your example is quite profound and exemplary. :)
@CheeryMango
This is amazing. You have thrown more light on the discussion. Thanks
@CheeryMango
Great answers, Mango! I wish you the best in your journey ahead!
@CheeryMango
Awesome, thank you for sharing in your thoughts!!! 😀😀😎😎
@CheeryMango i like the way you set your statements, good job!
@CheeryMango
that is an amazing answer mango
@CheeryMango
Concise and to the point answer and it really is easy for others to understand the basic importance in short .
@Heather225
What do you think of the idea of service leadership?
Service leadership is the ideal leadership for a place like 7cups, that puts others' needs first.
Can you list one example of service leadership you have seen on 7 Cups?
Mentors give their time to fellow leaders and listeners so that it benefits the community, the site, and the members looking up to this site eventually.
How can you become a better "servant' to our community?
I am trying already. I have recently started taking up leadership roles like Community Mentor and Listener Training to help listeners do their best to help the members the best.
@DonaldDraper
As someone who requested a listener coach due to not feeling very confident in taking 1-1 chats I want to thank you for donating your time to help other listeners becoming the best listener they can be!
@DonaldDraper
appreciate all ur support and time u take out for others and the community
@DonaldDraper
Awesome! Thank you for all your effort.
@DonaldDraper Proud of all your hard work!!
@DonaldDraper
Nice contribution
@DonaldDraper
Wonderful Answers, Donald! I wish you the best in your journey ahead!
@DonaldDraper
Thank you for taking the time to help others by volunteering in leadership roles, you doing an amazing job.
@Heather225
I think 7 Cups is the eptiome of service leadership. From my few months with 7 Cups, I have been inspired and in awe of the incredible people I have met who uplift and support us all in our mutual journey of making the world a better place.
An awesome example of service leadership I have seen on 7 Cups is the Sharing Circle. Listeners volunteer to lead and other listeners show up to offer support and strength to our members. It is a beautiful example of the true dedication to this community.
The way I hope to become a better servant to our community is by continuing learn how to balance taking on leadership responsibility while still taking 1-1 chats. My goal is to maintain some presence on the front lines while also being able to support fellow listeners and leaders in this journey.
@KindnessMatters2020
Describing 7 Cups as the epitome of service leadership sums up my thoughts on the topic quite nicely! Like you, I have always been so inspired by how every member of the community is volunteering their time and energy to help build this wonderful little corner of the internet known as 7 Cups.
@KindnessMatters2020, that's really insightful! Great response 🙂
@KindnessMatters2020
Fantastic reply, loved it!!! 😘😘🤗🤗 *Hugs*
And thanks for all your service here.
@KindnessMatters2020
Awesome!
@KindnessMatters2020
Great answer!
@Heather225
What do you think of the idea of service leadership?
- I think the idea of service leadership is superb. It gives those who take part in 7 Cups the confidence knowing that they are helping others and putting effort into a community that constantly gains more people to help. It also gives them the opportunity to take leadership roles in which they may be scared to do anywhere else.
Can you list one example of service leadership you have seen on 7 Cups?
-I have seen so many service leadership on 7 Cups. One example is after a sharing circle, I felt bad for how it turned out and one of the leaders reassured me that I did fine and that it happens at times. Sharing circles can't go perfect each time and it is a learning experience.
How can you become a better "servant' to our community?
-I can become a better servant to our community by continuing to help others and encouraging fellow listeners and members through their journeys.
@shiningDay80
I really resonated with what you said about helping others. When we first set out to be listeners, we did so out of the desire to support those who were struggling. When we become leaders, this focus on being supportive and helping others should remain, or ideally, be heightened!
@shiningDay80
I totally agree with what you said about confidence, and I really hope you're receiving the confidence you need to shine!
@shiningDay80
great response to the question posted above
@Heather225
What do you think of the idea of service leadership?
I think it's an incredible thing. I work in a police department, I'm sure I've talked about it before, but one of the biggest things is talking about leadership. The leader of the group is there to help out and do what they can to benefit all of the people involved.
Can you list one example of service leadership you have seen on 7 Cups?
One thing I can think of very distinctly is when something is going on in a member chatroom, and a member wants a listener to talk to or they need support in some way, and the group isn't giving it, a listener usually lets everyone know that PMs are open and that anyone can come talk to them. It's really inspiring to see, because it's important to see that kind of thing. It sets a good example and it shows that listeners really do care about our members.
How can you become a better "servant' to our community?
Become more active again! Since school has been starting I've stopped taking member chats to get used to how it'll be when I'm in school! I want to be as active as I can be while on the site, but I know that my schoolwork comes first :)
Even then, I still want to be more active! In group chats, forums, etc! I've fallen out these past couple weeks :P
@smolecho
I love seeing listeners willing to give their time for PMs as well. It is very inspiring and admirable to those show support on a consistent basis. <3
@smolecho
I agree, when listeners let people know that their PMs are open in a group chat I think it's so kind of them! So much so that I've started doing it myself. It's so important to let members know that listeners are there to support them.
@Heather225
i personally am a fan of this term and i love how this post sums the meaning of it. Service leadership to me is like people "For the people" . I honestly think people in this case our audience, members, other listeners and everyone included in the community has the power to get you up and bring you down. We are nothing without the community but the community is unchanged without us. This means that we have to be there for people and not just for the sake of it , we have to mean it. one of the ways i have seen this on 7cups is in the chatrooms, where literally everyone is ready to provide their service and expect nothing in return. This is perfect example of helping people to rise up regardless of differences. The one way i think i can be closer to the title "service leadership" is by alloting more time to this community, lately for various reasons i have not been able to dedicate as much time as before which i think makes me fall short to give my 100% to the community. I wish to be more active in coming times.
thank you
@yourstruly2000
@Yourstruly2000 I agree--service leadership is "for the people." When I first read the term's definition, I immediately thought about social entrepreneurship. Unlike regular entrepreneurs, social entrepreneurs focus on being able to give back to social issues. In the context of our work here at 7 Cups, service leadership is being able to evoke kindness and offer help without the need for something back.
@Yourstruly2000
That s amazing! Whatever happens, we do value your work here, and we are thankful for you.
@Yourstruly2000 I love this quote of yours: "We are nothing without the community but the community is unchanged without us." So great!
Also, make sure you take time for self care! We want you to be kind to yourself.
@Yourstruly2000
I love your dedication to the community and how you can see how everything we do is important here. I would want to caution you on feeling bad for not being able to be here as often as you'd like. We are voluteers and still have our personal lives to manage. I would say the same for someone in a career. It's important to love what you're doing, but at the end of the day you can't pour from an empty cup.
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 sharing the power is a great model for community responsiblity and creating a shared vision together. I think that there are many examples, but I do love how teams tend to work togetheror complement each other! We share power so that we can share responsiblity to make the community the best it can be.
How can I be a better servant to the community?
I know that I work hard to be a good servant to the community, and I know I am working on cultivating strong relationships with others in order to form partnerships and help others grow as well.
What do you think of the idea of service leadership?
I love the idea. The pyramid down is always a good example and helps improve the whole community.
Can you list one example of service leadership you have seen on 7 Cups?
The Listener Coaching Team! A group of trained individuals giving their free time to support and help others. They work tirelessly and mostly unseen to support others.
How can you become a better "servant' to our community?
By taking this course! I try my best and I try and encourage others to do their best too. I am always looking for ways to improve.
Listening - One Step At A Time!