“Leadership Basics” Growth Path Insights
What it means to be a leader?
Servant Leadership
At 7 Cups we encourage servant leadership! Here is a short video to help you understand what servant leadership is.
Without a good understanding of yourself, it is very hard to identify areas of improvement. A good leader is very aware of their strengths and weaknesses.
No one has all the answers
A good leader will acknowledge that they do not know the answer to a question. It's okay to admit this and it's okay to be vulnerable! None of us are expected to know everything all of the time. It's wise to always play to one's strengths as well as admit one's weaknesses. Believe it or not, this truly earns you respect in the end for being so very forthcoming.
In addition, a leader won't drop the ball and leave the question unanswered:
It's okay to say "I do not know but that is a wonderful question". You can give the promise to go find the answer for the person who was asking and so by doing that, we all learn together. Part of being helpful isn't always about knowing the answer but learning how to go find it, relying on resources whether they be forum posts, links, or other knowledgeable people.
At times you won’t know the answer yourself but you will know who can give the person the right answer. In such a case, feel free to send the person asking the question to the right person.
System Vs Goals
Focus on system over goals. A system is a way of behaving that will eventually help you reach your goals. For example, if you study consistently, attend your lectures, and do your assignments on time then eventually you will get good grades. Good grades are a goal while all the steps you take leading up to that moment are part of the system. If you stick with the system you will likely reach the goal but if you focus on the goal, the system may even feel overwhelming, you may miss some steps (like not studying) and end up not reaching the goal.
Therefore one should focus on the system over the goal to achieve long-term success.
Now think about something that matters to you. Something you wish to achieve and following the above example of system vs goals, outline what the system looks like for you to achieve what you wish to achieve.
Learning from others!
Whatever you are trying to achieve in life, chances are that there is already someone who has either done it or has knowledge that can be helpful to you. Try and think of a person who is a good leader, this can be a parent, a co-worker, or even a leader at 7 Cups.
Think of what it is they do that makes them a good leader. You can even reach out to them and ask for tips.
Who is this person and what do they do that makes them a good leader?
Get a Mentor
Mentors are experienced people who have the knowledge you wish to acquire. They can also be a part of your support system. These are people who can guide you through your leadership journey and help you improve your skills.
Finding the right mentor can be a game-changer. You may need to try a few different mentors to see which one is the right fit for you. If you wish to be a leader on 7 Cups then we recommend that you get a mentor!
You can find a list of mentors here. Read their bios, see if they are taking mentees, and feel free to reach out with a few questions that they can answer so you can determine if they can be a good fit for you.
Connect with your people!
Leadership is about knowing your people, knowing what they need and what their concerns are. All this is possible only if you connect with the people you wish to serve. Identify your area of interest in leadership and consider your choices to connect with your people.
Let's take a 7 Cups example. If you wish to be a leader in chatrooms, spend time in chatrooms to get some hands-on experience and to connect with the people you wish to serve.
How will you connect with your people today?
Seek Constructive Feedback
It is human nature to want to hear about our positives, what we are good at but it's constructive criticism that helps us grow and improve ourselves.
You can seek constructive feedback from a number of people, people who you work closely with, or who are plugged into the roles you desire. They can often give you feedback that can be key in meeting your own goals.
It is important to not take criticism personally, see it as a way to improve yourself, and the more you seek it, the easier it gets to hear it. Don't wait for someone to reach out and tell you what to improve on, reach out yourself and seek feedback.
Some ways you can seek constructive feedback:
- Reaching out to members you support and ask them how you can better support them
- Reach out to your mentor and ask them what you can improve on
- Reach out to a leader and ask how you can be a better leader
- Reach out to leaders of the team you want to be a part of and ask them how you can be a better fit for the team
Think about whom you will ask for constructive feedback today!
The Complete Growth Path here!