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.
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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
I joined this wonderful community as a member and seeking for help and after getting help I thought to support and care about others and now I am here as a verified active listener.
I am contributing to this community by listening to our lovely members, by supporting and caring them. I do participate in the forum and events. I try to spread love and happiness among all the people of the community❤
@LovetoGod
I've noticed all of these things in you. You have been setting these examples. All of these things are appreciated: and so are you.
@peacefulIris56
oh gosh, you are really gonna make me cry. Thank you so much. You are just amazing. Lots of love❤❤❤❤
@LovetoGod
@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
I am a part of this community by being an active participant and taking the initiative to connect with others and to lead by example by being the unique individual that I am. Since the individual, team and community are interconnected and interlinked, I guide myself with my own intuition.
The initiatives that I take are to manage and resolve conflict, to encourage, motivate and uplift and inspire others through good communication and leadership skills. I acknowledge, validate, recognize strengths in people and to reflect their strengths back to them to them to help them gain self-awareness, self-realization, and self-actualization. When I see a person's weaknesses and struggles, I give them constructive feedback and educate when necessary, which helps them continue their paths of self-developnent in positive, supportive, safe and constructive ways. I promote self-care. I show, kindness, compassion and and empathy when I interact with others. I create content that is helpful to others as well. I also promote people asking questions, being unique and challenging existing systems and beliefs and help people resolve their own conflicts by problem solving and by seeking positive and optimistic solutions. With that I encourage people to be assertive, curious, try new things, learn new things and to have an open mind and to break out of existing thought, emotional and behavioral patterns. I have high standards when it comes to the self and others and I encourage people to have high standards but not be so hard on themselves. I encourage them to uplift themselves as well as to uplift others in positive, warm, respectful, patient and friendly ways, especially during stressful and difficult times. With these these things is also promoting a good work ethic that is comprised with honesty, self-discipline, self-sufficiency and interconnectedness to work with others in positive, effective and efficient ways which leads to high individual and not to be overfocused on the material things
Also, as I interact with all of these spirits, I am able to take in information and feedback, to learn, grow and to improve myself.
As I grow and improve myself, I use those new abilities to help other people and to add to the community spirit. I also will not shrink myself because of other people's opinions, jealousy or envy. I focus on myself instead of comparing myself to others.
Also, I continue to look at myself by self-reflection to see that I am being consistent and sticking to my values with my words, actions and interactions. I like to see myself and others self-develop and grow as individuals .I like to see positive systemic changes as well.
2. Please reply to 3 of your peers in the thread!
Ok
Hi @peacefulIris56! I love how detailed and thought-out your response is. Keep up the good work! And best of luck on your leadership journey!
@richuyulin Thank you!!! I appreciate it. And the same to you.
@peacefulIris56
Great! post Iris,
I loved all your answers 😃❤️
Give an example of how you are part of this community.
I am part of this community as an active listener with several leadership roles.
How are you contributing as an individual?
I am contributing as an individual as I am putting in time and energy to the work I do around the platform and helping out as much as I can when I’m available to do so.
How are you contributing as a team?
I contribute as a team by doing my part on the teams I am a part of. This most often is showing up and hosting scheduled sessions for community members and helping cover other hosts’ sessions when they’re unavailable.
How are you contributing within the community?
I’m contributing within the community by continuously learning and improving myself, while supporting others.
@Heather225 I am a member of the care team and a peer supporter I reach out to new listeners encourage them help them with any questions they might have and provide them with support throughout their listener journey 
Every winner was once a loser who got up and gave it one more shot
@mamtasha22 I am contributing as an individual by taking the time and energy to do what I do for the community I am contributing as an team by supporting my team members, encouraging them and doing my share of the work in the team and helping my team members do theirs if I have the time
Every winner was once a loser who got up and gave it one more shot
@mamtasha22 That's great to hear that you are balancing that out.
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 try my best to answer any questions people may have about various things on 7 Cups and help them out. I give them my time and support them with any issues they may have. I help them to reach out for support when they need it and try my best to be that support for them from time to time.
As a team, I am helping to overlook the quality of listening at this site and helping listeners become a better version of themselves! I am also helping with recruiting people and helping function teams more efficiently!
As a community, I am helping to create a supportive environment for all. We are learning together how to care for others and support them the best we can. Through supporting even one person, we are making a difference and inspiring them to get better and pass on the light we shared. I think that's something truly beautiful.
You can't give your life more time, so give the time you have, more life.
@lueurspace Awesome answer !
@helpfuldipper
thank you! ❤️
@lueurspace
You are doing great by supporting others and helping in create a supportive environment for others.❤️
@shallowWater7547
aw thank you so much for saying that Water ❤️ I appreciate it and you!
@lueurspace
You are most welcome, Space 😃💜
@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.
Its been around a month since i joined. I am trying my best to contribute to the community. As an individual, i try to host sessions for members and listeners and help out and encourage new listeners in the support room. As for the team part, i work as a project agent and try to help out the team as much as possible
@DigitalKnight Thank you for all the good work you are doing !
@DigitalKnight You've only been here a short while and you're already doing so much! That's amazing, thank you! <3
I am part of this community because I believe in the same values as those set by 7cups. I have always believed in empathy and caring for others and 7cups provides me a platform to serve others.
My biggest contribution as a Member is taking the chats. I really enjoy helping people. I also work with members long term and hence take notes so that i can update their progress and serve them better.
As a team - I am yet to join a team. But I go in listener support room and try to help people out. I also welcome new members.
As a community - As a community we are all working towards saving lives. There is a vast number of people getting help at 7cups every week. And I play a part in that even if it's a very small one.
@helpfuldipper
I am glad you believe in the same values as 7 Cups has established! 7 Cups does seem like one of the best platforms for those who have empathy and care for others! Thank you for doing all that you do on 7 cups, on an individual, team, and community level! You are appreciated
You blossom under kindness, don't you? Like a rose.
@helpfuldipper
It's really nice that you enjoy helping people and you believe in the same values as of 7 Cups.
You are doing great.❤ Keep up the good work.
@helpfuldipper The work we do saves lives and that is so important to remember <3 Thank you for what you do!
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
I'm a part of the community as a supportive member as i love offering support to others.
I'm forum supporter in Depression Support and Self Harm Recovery Communities. I'm contributing in the community by making it a supportive place for the members by dedicating my time to support others in the forums by responding to them.
@shallowWater7547 Thank you for what you do! <3
1. Give an example of how you are part of this community?
I host weekly discussions in the Friendship Room for the listener community <3
2. How are you contributing as an individual?
As all other listeners, I have 1-1 chats with members and listen to them.
3. How are you contributing as a team?
I am an Intern Mentor, and I work as part of the team to ensure all Interns have the best experience possible. All of us mentors have our own tasks that help the Interns journey through the program run as smoothly as possible.
4. How are you contributing within the community?
By hosting weekly listener sessions in the Friendship Room I am bringing together listeners into one space which is helping build rapport and engage the community.
@IcedEthan
Hello!
Thank you so much for sharing how you are making us have a very supportive community. I also liked how organized your post was. I am glad that you are helping out within chatrooms since some people are scared of them (I was one of those at some point) and now it feels like a very safe and comfortable place for me to help people at.
1. Give an example of how you are part of this community and how you are contributing as an individual, as a team, and within the community. As an individual: - Continue learning from many resources on-site and off-site in order to improve - Only apply to roles that I have capability to do and am excited about it. As a team: - Plan and do active participation in roles I'm taking and consider my limitations. - Support peers in doing their part whenever possible. Within the Community: - Switch to a Member account when I need personal support. - Being respectful, compassionate and supportive to everyone - Take a break from listening and roles from time to time if needed
@positiveTurtles support our peers is a great one to do and point out, thanks for everything you do here and thanks for sharing :)
@positiveTurtles
Hello!
Thank you for sharing how you are making our community a better place. I am personally glad that you pointed out learning from the on-site resources since there are many for us out there that I haven't even been able to check out myself.