Course 4. Foundational Leadership Principles: (Discussion #4) Lead Within the Community
Please note: In order to successfully complete Course 4, 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.
-
Welcome back, crew! We've discussed leading yourself and others. Let's talk about leading ÃÂ within the community!
A car is a ÃÂ system that has different levels of components. Each component is a system in itself like engine, accelerator, gears, clutch, tires, seats, front deck, mirrors, and so on. Each of these components is also a system too. But when they are integrated into one big system, it comprises the bigger picture as a car which facilitates movement from one place to another. ÃÂ
Similarly, 7Cups is a system. A system of small systems that have their own defined set of goals but contributing towards a bigger goal (community goal).
When you are a lead of a project, you are not just leading your own project but also within the community as well. Examples: Verified Listener Program, Active Listening Tests, Listener Coaching, Quality Mentor, Listener Support Chat Rooms, and so on are individual projects that contribute to supporting a user to become a better listener to support the member they listen to and the community at large. Everyone is functioning as an integral part of the system. ÃÂ
To ensure the smooth operation of your system and the whole system, you need to collaborate with other community and project leaders to problem solve and be well synced. ÃÂ
Everything is interlinked and interconnected. You are part of the community and leading within the community. And, when everyone collectively gathers together to achieve one purpose, we are cultivating a sense of community solidarity.
Exercise:
1. ÃÂ Give an example of how you are part of this community and how are you contributing as an individual, as a team, and within the community. ÃÂ
2. Please reply to 3 of your peers in the thread!
After fulfilling the requirements of this post, please proceed to the end of Course 4!ÃÂ
This post is brought to you by the Leadership Development Program Team, find out more information about the program here.
@Heather225
1.Give an example of how you are part of this community and how are you contributing as an individual, as a team, and within the community.
I am part of this community because I help 7 cups grow and I help myself grow.
I contribute as a ...
Individual: I support members when I can and I also help myself grow
Team: I am part of many teams and I help them with forums and soon to be LDP team.
Within Community: I take part in community chats and I help other listeners!
@Heather225
1. Give an example of how you are part of this community and how are you contributing as an individual, as a team, and within the community.
I volunteered as a forum supporter, and while I can't post as regularly as I would like to, I try my best and I know how important it is for members to feel heard. I also encourage/check up on new listeners and offer my guidance in forums :)
@Heather225
1. Give an example of how you are part of this community and how are you contributing as an individual, as a team, and within the community.
As an individual, I am a listener and intern graduate, which is how I contribute to the community, on a social and individual level (through forums, check-ins, and listening).
Moreover, as a team, I am a forum supporter, and while I can't post as regularly as I would like to, I try my best and I know how important it is for members to feel heard. I also encourage/check up on new listeners and offer my guidance in forums :)
@gigantCloud92
Thank you for your contribution. A kind post of yours can cheer someone up ;)
@Heather225
I am part of the 7 Cups community in a variety of ways. I am contributing to the 7 Cups community as a verified listener, as an internship graduate, and as a participant of the LDP program. I feel like I am contributing the most as a verified listener, as I am currently focusing on providing support to members who seek for emotional help to me.
@Heather225
1. ÃÂ Give an example of how you are part of this community and how are you contributing as an individual, as a team, and within the community. ÃÂ
individual: as an individual, I take care of myself so that I have the energy to really be present and support others. I am a verified listener who offers non judgmental ear to the members. I take notes of the members so I can remember who I talk to and what we talk so far. Thus, I can keep track with them and be a part of their growth and progress.
team: as a member of Chatroom's host team, I work with other hosts and mod to do regular sharing circles and check-in supports.
within the community: I remember to encourage other peers and be there for them when they need supports. In the forum, when I have time, I would reply constructively to threads or post that have not been replied too.
2. Please reply to 3 of your peers in the thread!
Done
@kindLemonade
an example of how you are part of this community: I have both active member and listener account, I have been here since 2017.
Give an example of how you are part of this community and how are you contributing as an individual, as a team, and within the community.
I'm currently a part of the Quality Teen Star program where listeners can reach out to me as a mentee and I can answer any question relating to 7 Cups that they may have. I'm really really in love with this role and what it entails. Most of the listeners that reach out to me are new listeners so I like to think that I'm the first person to guide them through the basics of the site, some mentees choose to stick around for a more long-term relationship and long-term training. I also conduct occasional mock chats with them and provide feedback, so the process of witnessing them improving is really fulfilling to me. I feel a lot more accomplished and happy as a person when working with the mentees because I myself can reminisce the old days when I was a new listener and also have more perspectives on their struggles as well. As a team member, I have a chance to be in contact with some of the most wonderful people on the site and we always reach out to each other when we need to exchange resources or just have some kinds of questions that we want to share. The team leaders also do a very good job checking in with us every now and then. Within the community, I feel more motivated to participate in more activities around the site so that I can be updated about the site features to better assist my mentees. It's also just really fun seeing my mentees taking part in activities here and there!
@herealways27
That's amazing! I can really see how passionate you are about your role and your work here 
Thank you so much for the work you do!
1. Give an example of how you are part of this community and how are you contributing as an individual, as a team, and within the community.
A: I am helping clients to move on. I am not familiar with the team in 7 cups of tea. So, I am not going anywhere in this community. However, in real life, I am better off with a team. But, I have not function in my community, because I live in a city. It is hard to be warm in the city like Taipei.
@loveagape
It's okay if you still haven't gotten into the community on 7 Cups 
You can take your time and slowly get into it more as you go along! Thank you for helping your clients/members move on! You're doing good work!
@Heather225
Alright, so here we go!
1. ÃÂ Give an example of how you are part of this community and how are you contributing as an individual, as a team, and within the community. ÃÂ
First of all, I am blessed to be a part of the 7 cups community and it's wonderful to be a small contributor here and align with others to help proceed for beautiful outcomes.
As an individual, I have been listening to members on here and will continue. I had some rough times but I am still improving. As a team member, I have recently become a room supporter for two subcommunities i.e. the leadership development program and around the world.
@marvelloustree1111 That's so great :) <3 Well done!!
@marvelloustree1111
Within the community, I try to ensure that I take the right amount of work so that I don't feel any sort of burnout which helps to provide succinct yet quality work, I have been listening for more than a year now and care for my individual members as well as members a listeners in the group chats.
@marvelloustree1111
That's very true marvellous! Preventing ourselves from burning out so we can put out good and quality work is so important and its importance can never be emphasised enough! Thank you for your dedication!
@Cristen
Thanks a lot Cristen 🤗
@Heather225 As an individual, I ensure that I don't leave the members I'm chatting to hanging, and try to reply as quickly as possible. I try to make their experience on 7Cups a good one, and try and make them feel better <3
As a team, I try and spread the word of the 7Cups community and encourage more friends to volunteer. I also take part in some forum discussions, and ensure I uphold the standards of the community in all my chats :)
@Readylistener I missed out on a part of the answer :o but I'm adding it here!
I'm a part of the community as I contribute my best, and am supported by so many other wonderful people on this platform.
I'm contributing within the community by upholding its values and supporting anyone (member or listener!) who needs it :)
@Readylistener
Great answers Ready! You're doing great on 7 Cups! Thank you for all that you do
@Readylistener
Best of luck on your leadership journey!
1. Give an example of how you are part of this community and how are you contributing as an individual, as a team, and within the community.
I am part of this community because I follow and respect the 7 Cups culture and values, and always keep in mind that my work here saves lives.
My first and foremost contribution as an individual is that I am listening to members 1-on-1 and supporting them to the best of my active listening abilities, keeping track of my members and remembering to make use of my personal notes so I don’t forget things!
As a team and within the community, I help out in the Listener Support Room whenever new Listeners need resources/support, by being a hype man for hosts in Listener Sharing Circles and by just being a friendly face in general, fostering good relations with other Listeners.
2. Please reply to 3 of your peers in the thread!
Done!
@Cristen
Thanks for sharing and for making our community a better place
@Cristen nice!
@Cristen
That's great to know 😊
@Cristen
I'm glad to see you taking initiatives.
Hi @Cristen! Your work around the community is greatly appreciated even if you don’t get the spotlight recognition the way hosts do. Our sessions wouldn’t be the same without participants like yourself.
@Cristen Great answer Cristen ! Keep up the good work
@Cristen I love that you are a hype man!
Hi @Cristen. I feel like respecting the culture and values of 7 Cups is so important! We all come from different backgrounds and lives, so those values really embody the uniqueness of our society. I also agree that we are saving lives. We are the ones who are on the front lines talking to these people in their darkest moments. It is our job to ensure they are cared for and be there to support them in every way possible.
@Cristen
Impressive answer cristen
@Cristen
These are really great examples! It seems like you do so much for 7 Cups as an individual, team player, and a part of the community! Nice work!
@Cristen
fantastic, I really like that you are part of our community
@Cristen great post!
