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
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 a part of this community as an active listener and a leader.
As an individual, I go on to support members by providing a non-judgemental space for them to vent.
As a team, I bring forward a set of skills like leadership skills, empathy, active listening skills and validation as I go on to help listeners get verified and provide them with the feedback as well as the resources they need.
Within the community, I help ensure the safety of the members and the listeners by flagging inappropriate profiles as a member of the safety patrol team as well as outreaching the flagged profiles as a member of the SPOT.
@Textingpals
Thank you so much for helping with the verifiers' team! it's such a time-consuming task but so helpful for our members to get proper help!
@Textingpals
Wow! That is so cool that you have several roles here on 7Cups. Thank you for making 7Cups a safe and welcoming community!
@Heather225
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'm making a little difference by helping the members.
As a team ,I'm contributing to work with my teammates towards a common goal.
In the community , I'm contributing by being respectful and aware of others.
@jersey123456
I am part of the community by being a good listener and working towards being a better listener.
@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 contributing to the Academy program as a mentor, as well as in the PD forums as a forum supporter with my fellow PD leaders. I am doing my absolute best to make others feel heard, comfortable, and guided, whether that be through educational posts or encouragement.
@LavenderFlower
I am part of this community simply by working together with everyone to help members and listeners grow!
@LavenderFlower
That is so awesome that you guide and make others feel heard as a mentor, listener, and a supporter!!!
@Heather225
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 an active part of the community where I support others going through difficult times. As a listener, I listen to members, offer them hugs (if wanted) and help them work through things that might be difficult to go through alone. As an individual, I try my best to create a warm, friendly presence in chatrooms as well as forums and as part of various teams, I use my leadership skills to take the initiative and make the projects I'm part of a success.
@xinyii11
I like your answer because it hits various aspects of which you provide yourself as an asset to the 7Cups mission as a listener, in the chatrooms, various teams, and a leader!
@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. ÃÂ
Every conversation with a member counts on this site. I know for some listeners, it may be hard to see, but even a simple conversation is very meaningful and powerful to the goals we have as a community because it encourages that member to reach out to talk and also to let them know someone is there for them, even if they are just here to have a casual conversation. It allows listeners to show their skills and be open to the members so that they may return when they need someone to talk to, or feel encouraged to further explore on 7Cups to go through self-help resources, or even reach out to professional help with the therapists. We make an impact as each individual listener, and moreover we can as a team as well. When listeners do not know where to turn, we as listeners can work as a team and help other listeners have tough conversations with members to provide help for them in the listener support rooms, or in working with a mentor/mentee in the committees. As a community, members and listeners, we make a stand to break stigma toward mental health and motivate others to ask for help and to give help back as well.
@mikacv I agree with you. A simple conversation can be quite powerful! Thank you for reminding us!❤️
@Heather225
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 seeing myself as a small screw in a big machine. And if the screw is removed the machine would stop working. The point is, we listeners plays a crucial role in the community by helping our fellow beings in moving ahead and getting unstuck.
@DarkPiT23 Yes, everyone plays an important role here!
@DarkPiT23
I really like your metaphor of you being a small screw in a big machine. The machine needs you in order to operate, and what you do really affects everything on the whole level.
@DarkPiT23 agreed !! that is a great metaphor for the community-- teamwork is so very important and everyone here is just as equally important as everyone else :) you're right !
@Heather225 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 try to be kind and compassionate in this community. As a verified listener, I contribute as an individual, supporting the members. As a team, I like to lift the spirits of fellow listeners through different events.
And within the community, I try my best to provide a friendly environment so that everyone spend a good time here.
@hopezzy
I think providing a friendly environment is one of the best things you can do for the community!
@hopezzy compassion is so important to give and it's something that you will get back as well :) <3 you should definitely be proud of yourself for all the support you give to others, and know that you are awesome !
@Heather225
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.
An example of how I am part of the community is something others have said - I am part of the community by acting as an active, verified listener. As an individual, I ensure that I am actively listening each time I take a member chat. As a team I ensure that I rely on others to help me out when help is needed, and within the community I ensure that I am a reliable person that can be trusted.
@Gnibellen you are amazing for all your contributions, efforts, and for all the work you do ! we are so grateful to have you on the site :)
@Heather225
1. i am apart of this community through my listener role <3 i support members as well as my listening peers ! this is how i contribute to the community :)
as an individual - i take chats whenever i can to better support members. i make sure to only take one chat at a time so each member feels that they are genuinely being listened to-- they know when you are busy doing other things as well ! i want them to feel cared for and supported :)
as a team - i work with other chatrooms moderators, the listener check-in team, the forum supporter team, the peer and listener appreciate team, etc. communication is extremely important and it also helps to build ideas of how to make the community a better place for everyone :)
within the community - i do what i can when i am available to help others whether that is making and supporting forums, reaching out to new members, etc. whatever i see as an opportunity to give someone some support or care they might be needing, i take it !
@rrretsuko
great post!
@rrretsuko
Great answer rrretsuko, your contribution is truly valuable. Thank you so much for sharing ❤
@Heather225
individual; I take chats whenever I have a clear mind and I am confident about myself so that I don't make the situation worse as the famous quote says don't bleed on others
As a team ;I sometimes take parts in listener support rooms and discussions even though I have bad social skills but I try to improve myself
in a community whenever I see something I can answer confidently and it will help the other person
@nessa104
Thank you for sharing.