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Expanded Forum Guidelines Masterpost

by MonBon

October 25th

7 Cups Leadership Guidelines

by Heather225

October 21st

...See more Thank you for being a leader on 7 Cups! Community leaders are a significant part of our community. In stepping into a leadership role with 7 Cups, you have agreed that you align with our values and wish to uphold our mission. You have the ability to inform and influence our community members. So, it is important to lead by example and be a role model to inspire others to aspire to be someone like you to extend the support to others. In addition to the community guidelines, rules, and policies [https://www.7cups.com/about/communityGuidelines.php] currently in place, we are including a list of reminders, as well as one new rule. ➡ As a community leader, you may be provided with confidential information to perform your work on a team or a project. Use this knowledge for its intended purpose only. In other words, please do not abuse your privileges. We trust you to be responsible and maintain confidentiality. ➡. Refrain from engaging in triangulation. This is a very common mistake people make without even realizing it's happening. Triangulation manifests itself in our community as one person who will not communicate directly with another person, and instead use a third person to relay communication to the second, thus forming a triangle. Triangulation is damaging because it interferes with healthy conflict-resolution and lends itself to rumor spreading by taking a private situation between two users and exposing it to more people. Read more about this and take the Triangulation Pledge. [https://www.7cups.com/forum/ListenerCommunityampSiteUpdates_38/LaurasOffice_169/WhatisTriangulation3StepstoAvoidingStoppingitfromhappeninginthecommunity_35107/1/] ➡. Community leaders must maintain strong boundaries. Being a role model, and a trustworthy and reliable leader, users may become dependent on you. To nurture healthy relationships with the community, it's imperative that you set boundaries for yourself and respect those of others. ➡. Community leaders accept feedback gracefully. Getting feedback can be hard to hear, especially if it's more of a constructive criticism than a praise. Leaders should be able to accept feedback gracefully if given constructively. We all are human and all have things to work on and grow. ➡ Please honor and follow our social media policies (i.e. no off-site contact with community members). 7 Cups is a safe environment for you to build and create connections. We love that you are building supportive relationships with each other and enjoy connecting! In order to preserve this safe space, we ask you not to solicit off-site contact. Also bear in mind, once you take interactions off 7 Cups, we are unable to assist you in the event something happens outside of our site. ➡ Reporting is our responsibility. You are the eyes of our community. We have several ways to report incidents that cover all areas of the site, and we rely on you to direct users to those channels. We also rely on you to use them as well. As the slogan goes: if you see something, say something. ➡ We respect your right to use whatever sites you'd like. However, since we launched, we have discovered that some of our leaders have also been working with non-crisis sites that are similar to 7 Cups. We are all for competition, but we want the intention behind it to be solving broader emotional health challenges. We don't want the competition to be a negative interaction between companies. To protect our community and its ongoing progress, we ask that if you would like to pursue leadership with us that you do not affiliate yourself in leadership positions with non-crisis sites similar to 7 Cups. (When I say similar sites, I am referring to any site that offers the same services as us. This would not include therapists, AA, NAMI, and assistance programs that share our broad goal to provide support in the healthcare industry but are not set up to operate like we do. They all offer different components that work in tandem with us.) Leaders: please reply below if you have read and understood these rules! ------------------------- If you have any questions, you may PM anyone on the community team (@SoulfullyAButterfly, @Hope, any Ambassador, or me).

Learn about Communities and earn a badge!

...See more The word "No" is considered to be an important part of a successful life strategy. "Focusing is about saying 'no'" - Steve Jobs "We need to learn the slow 'yes' and the quick 'no'" - Warren Buffett "The art of leadership is saying No, not saying yes. It is very easy to say yes." - Tony Blair. For many of us, it can be hard to say no. There are many different reasons to why it might be hard to say no. Many of us fear conflict. We don't like it when others are angry with us or critical of us. We avoid saying "no" to avoid conflict. It is also possible we avoid "no" because we want people to like us. We desire acceptance. We might also hesitate to say "no" because we don't want to disappoint or hurt someone. We might feel like we are letting people down when we say no. We sometimes do things to make things easier for other people. Sometimes we might decide to just give in because we think if we don't, someone will be disappointed. There are times where leaders stay in roles that they have outgrown or projects that they do not have time for due to outside life commitments but prefer to spread themselves thin rather than take a break in fear of disappointing or letting someone down. Some techniques that can be done to get better at saying "No" are as followed: Practice saying "No" in small, unimportant situations, like buying something at the store. Stop and breathe before saying "yes" in order to give yourself a little space and an opportunity to assess and respond to your own needs. Seek advice. Reach out to a mentor and discuss the position with them. Sometimes talking about options with mentors can give you the ability to get what you need to say into words. Remember you are allowed to change your mind, don't get trapped in the belief that you only have one opportunity. Sometimes saying "Yes" can be the right thing, especially if it is related to your goals and it does not overwhelm you. When you do say "No" it allows you to set clear boundaries, prioritize your well-being, and prevent overcommitment, which can lead to stress, anxiety, and burnout. * Be honest, polite, and firm when saying no. Use clear language without overexplaining yourself. For example, "No, thank you, I am not available that day" or "I would love to help but my schedule is full." This is particularly useful when approached to join a discussion team or a mentoring track. * Keep it short. Avoid long explanations that invite further persuasion. A concise refusal is more effective and respectful. * Use the sandwich method. Frame your no between positive statements. For instance, "Thank you for thinking of me. I won't be able to attend, but I hope it goes well." * You can offer alternatives when comfortable. If appropriate, suggest another time or solution, but only if it aligns with your priorities. * Recognize your limits. Make sure to pay attention to physical or emotional cues, like stress or fatigue, which signal when it is necessary to decline. Feeling guilty or fearing rejection when you say "no" is common. Remind yourself that your time and energy are valuable, and saying no does not make you selfish or rude. Everyone has limits and everyone says "no" sometimes. No one here is going to be disappointed or stop liking you because you say no.

I've been a listener 10 years now

by Remina

July 24th

Are you emotionally intelligent?

by Remina

July 2nd

...See more Emotional intelligence (EI) is a critical leadership skill that enables leaders to understand and manage their own emotions while effectively influencing and empathizing with others, driving team engagement and organizational success. Unlike IQ, EI emphasizes self-awareness, empathy, interpersonal skills, and emotional regulation, all of which are essential for effective leadership. Leaders with high EI are better equipped to handle stress, resolve conflicts, and foster collaboration, making them more effective in guiding teams through complex and dynamic work environments. * Self-awareness: A leader should recognize their emotions, strengths, weaknesses, and triggers to make better decisions * Self-regulation: A leader should manage their emotions to remain calm under pressure and respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively * Empathy: A leader should understand and consider the emotions of team members, which enhances communication and inclusivity * Social Skills: A leader should build relationships, resolve conflicts constructively, and inspire collaboration Leaders can use practical strategies to strengthen their EI. * Keep a journal. Reflect on your daily emotional responses and interactions to identify patterns and areas for improvement * Get 360-degree feedback. Seek input from your peers, managers (in 7cups case, this could be your ambassador, mentor leader, admins, etc.), and team members to uncover blind spots * Utilize active listening. Focus fully on conversations, demonstrate engagement. * Learn more about EI by taking training and courses, take EI assessments and skill-building exercises to work on your EI. EI assessment Methods * Self-reflection & Journaling. Track daily emotional experiences, noting triggers, reactions, and outcomes. This builds self-awareness and identifies patterns. * Strengths and weakness reflection. List personal strengths and weaknesses, then compare with feedback from trusted others to gain perspective. * Feedback circles. In small groups, share areas for improvement and receive constructive, empathetic feedback * Active Listening Challenges. Practice paraphrasing and summarizing what others say to gauge empathy and comprehension * Structured EI workbooks. You can use guided exercises (e.g., emotion journaling, self-regulation scenarios) to self-assess and track progress. Click here [https://psychologypdf.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Emotional-Intelligence-Workbook.pdf]for the workbook (it is a safe, free PDF). Skill-Building exercises * Self-Awareness Emotion Journaling: At the end of each day, record three emotional events, your feelings, and your reactions Mindfulness Meditation: Regular practice to notice internal states without judgement * Self-regulation Pause before responding: Breathe and reflect before reacting to stress Visualization: Imagine handling challenging situations calmly to prepare for real-life scenarios * Empathy & Social Awareness Active listening challenge: One person speaks, the other listeners and paraphrases to show understanding Personal story sharing: Tell a non-work-related story and listen without judgement to build empathy * Social skills Feedback circle: Share one area for feedback, then receive constructive input from peers Role-playing scenarios: Practice difficult conversations or conflict resolution in a safe environment Practical tips for implementing these activities * Be consistent. Dedicate time weekly for reflection or group activities. * Debrief. After exercises, discuss insights and applications in real life. * Integration. Combine individual self-assessment with group activities to reinforce learning. * Track your progress. Use checklists or journals to monitor improvements over time. Interact with this post by pausing for a moment to reflect on how you are feeling, what you are thinking, and share it in this thread. The feeling wheel can used to assist you. The image below is the feeling wheel or you can try this link here [https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=a26ec0f596d0e93ccbeeb4cf2d2555c303159642e81a85261a81b6b7320e7a62JmltdHM9MTc4Mjg2NDAwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=3f769543-c369-6e5a-27f7-8226c2fb6f70&psq=EI+Feeling+wheel&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmVlbGluZ3N3aGVlbC5vbmxpbmUvIzp-OnRleHQ9VGhlJTIwRmVlbGluZ3MlMjBXaGVlbCUyMGlzJTIwYW4lMjBpbnRlcmFjdGl2ZSUyMGVtb3Rpb25hbCUyMGludGVsbGlnZW5jZSxwcm92aWRpbmclMjBhJTIwdmlzdWFsJTIwcmVwcmVzZW50YXRpb24lMjBvZiUyMGRpZmZlcmVudCUyMGVtb3Rpb25hbCUyMHN0YXRlcy4]for it. You can click here [https://www.truity.com/test/eq-emotional-intelligence-test]to take an EI quiz and then share the results in reply to this thread.

If you had to explain leadership to an alien, what would you describe it as?

by Remina

May 29th

Share a Gif to show what leadership means to you

by Remina

March 9th

💎 Leadership Drop Box: Wins, Struggles & Brainstorms

by Remina

February 24th

Ten Tips for leaders on 7cups

by Remina

February 16th

...See more Hello current and future leaders, see below for some tips to keep in mind when taking on leadership roles. Assess Availability and Commitment: Before taking on leadership roles, evaluate your availability and commitment. Apply for roles that align with your dedication and ensure you can serve the community effectively. Collaborative Mindset: Foster a collaborative and learning environment by working with your team and being open to their ideas and feedback. Flexibility and Adaptability: Embrace change and adjust your approach as necessary to achieve your goals and build strong relationships with your team. Self-Care: Prioritize your own well-being by taking breaks, communicating your needs, and seeking support when needed. Confidentiality: Use confidential information responsibly and maintain strong boundaries to uphold the community's trust. Avoid Triangulation: Prevent triangulation by communicating directly with others and avoid using third parties to relay information. Organized and Creative: Keep your leadership dashboards organized and user-friendly, and be open to creative solutions to problems. Respectful and Understanding: Be caring, outgoing, and understanding to build strong relationships with your team and community members. Continuous Learning: Continuously learn and improve your skills and knowledge to become a more effective leader. Support and Mentorship: Support and mentor your peers to help them grow and reach their full potential. These tips are designed to help leaders on 7 Cups become more effective and responsible members of the community. By following these guidelines, leaders can create a positive and supportive environment for all members. What tips would you add to this?

What is one word you would use to describe what a leader means to you?

by Remina

January 28th

What is a leader? Find out here.

by Remina

January 15th

...See more A leader is someone who guides and influences others towards a common goal. This person possesses qualities such as the ability to motivate, inspire, and build trust among their team members. Being in leadership involves aligning people in a collective direction, enabling collaboration, and making sound decisions. A leader on 7cups is someone you can trust to do the right thing; someone you can approach and ask for help. Leaders on 7cups uphold the community guidelines and help create a safe space on 7cups. Being a leader does not mean you hold powers over your peers. It means you actively support and engage your team to make sure they reach their maximum potential. Leaders on 7cups come in all shapes and sizes. You don't need to be in an active "leader" role to consider yourself a leader. Listeners, for example, are leaders in that members trust them to help guide and support them on their journey. Members trust that listeners are going to do the right thing. There are several roles that listeners and members can get involved in if they wish to help with the collective goal of the 7cups community. There is a leadership role for almost every part of the community - Academy, forum, member group support, listener group support, quality, safety, teen community focused, content, member, and other projects (community). Exploring the community and getting to know your peers is the best way to know where your strengths are and where you can do the most good. If you want to be a leader on 7cups, knowing and following the leader guidelines is good practice. @Heather225 originally wrote out those guidelines here [https://www.7cups.com/forum/7cupsleadership/CommunityInformation_742/7CupsLeadershipGuidelines_222236/]. Do you see yourself being a leader on 7cups one day?

🌱 Leader Boundaries & Headspace Check-In

by Remina

January 3rd

...See more A quick pause before you pour from your cup Being a leader means showing up for others—but it does not mean pushing past your own limits. Use this checklist to decide whether today is a lead day or a rest day. Both are valid. Both are responsible. 🧠 Headspace Check: How am I really doing? Ask yourself honestly: ☐ I feel emotionally regulated (not numb, not flooded) ☐ I can listen without absorbing others’ pain as my own ☐ I’m not feeling resentful, irritable, or obligated to be here ☐ I can step away if a situation becomes activating ☐ I’m not using leading as a way to avoid my own feelings 👉 If you checked 2 or fewer, it may be a pause and care day. 🚧 Boundary Check: Am I holding the leader line? ☐ I’m not oversharing personal trauma in leader spaces ☐ I’m not seeking emotional support from members/listeners ☐ I’m keeping my role clear (leader ≠ therapist ≠ rescuer) ☐ I’m okay saying “not today” or logging off early ☐ I’m not trying to fix, save, or chase outcomes ✨ Healthy boundaries protect you and the community. 🔥 Burnout Warning Lights (check any that apply) ☐ Feeling drained before you even log in ☐ Strong emotional reactions to minor issues ☐ Difficulty being compassionate ☐ Fantasizing about quitting “dramatically” ☐ Staying online longer than planned out of guilt 🚨 These aren’t failures—they’re signals. 🌿 Permission Slip (read this slowly) ☐ I am allowed to take breaks ☐ Rest is part of leadership, not the opposite of it ☐ The space will survive if I step back ☐ I don’t have to earn rest by burning out first (yes, I am serious) ✅ If I’m Good to Lead Today: ☐ I’ll set a clear start and end time ☐ I’ll redirect if boundaries blur ☐ I’ll check in with myself after 🛑 If I Need a Break: ☐ I’ll log off or reduce involvement ☐ I’ll reach out to another leader or mentor if needed ☐ I’ll come back when my cup isn’t cracked Remember you are not just a leader, you are a human being with a nervous system and you need real breaks. If you want to share in this thread, how are you doing today?

🌟 What It Really Means to Be Professional as a Leader on 7cups 🌟

by Remina

December 9th, 2025

...See more Hello everyone! 🫶 Whether you are brand new to leadership or have been wearing your shiny leader badge✨ for a while, professionalism is one of the biggest gifts we bring to the 7cups community. It keeps our members safe, our listeners supported, and our space feeling calm, welcoming, and trustworthy. 💬 So... what does professionalism actually look like here? Let's break it down! * Professionalism = Compassionate + Consistent 🤗 Professionalism on 7cups is not about being stiff or formal; it is about showing up with a steady, reliable energy. Members and listeners should feel that you are someone they can trust to stay calm, kind, and clear, no matter the situation. Consistency makes others feel safe, and safety is everything in a support community. * Professional = Setting the Tone (Gently!) 💕 Leaders set the emotional weather. When you stay centered, respectful, and clear - even in challenging chats or disagreements - you model the atmosphere the whole community can join in on. You basically become a walking "It's okay, we've got this" vibe. * Professional = Boundaries That Feel Safe, Not Harsh 👣 Good boundaries are like cozy fences: they don't trap anyone in; they just keep the yard safe. As leaders, we demonstrate healthy boundaries by keeping conversations appropriate, redirecting when needed, avoiding oversharing, and knowing when to escalate concerns. When we hold boundaries kindly, others learn to do the same. * Professional = Using Authority Lightly (But Effectively) 👩‍🏫 Professional leaders don't "pull rank." Instead, leaders use their roles to support, guide, and de-escalate; not dominate. A professional leader steps in when needed, but never to shame anyone. Leaders correct with clarity and kindness, like "Hey, I totally understand where you're coming from; let's shift the conversation back to a safe space." It's confident and compassionate. * Professional = Owning Mistakes With Grace 🦋 There is no such thing as a perfect leader. If you misunderstand something or make a decision you later adjust, professionalism is owning it with humility. This can look like: "Thank you for pointing that out. Here is what I learned, and here's how I will handle it moving forward." This builds trust more than perfection ever could. * Professional = Being a Soft Place to Land 💛 Members come to 7cups because they are overwhelmed, lonely, grieving, or stressed. Professionalism means offering support in a way that feels grounded, gentle, and safe. You don't have to have all the answers; you just have to show up in a way that communicates care and respect. * Professional = Leading With Heart 💗 It is easy to forget that professionalism and warmth aren't opposite - here at 7cups, they actually fuel each other. The more grounded and respectful you are, the more authentically you can show your empathy, humor, and humanity. 🌿 Final thoughts to chew on. Professionalism is not a mask. It is a promise. It is a promise that we are here to help. A promise that we will handle things responsibly. It is a promise that our community is safe with us. This is a thanks to every leader who shows up with heart, steadiness, and integrity. The community feels your impact more than you know.

Community Guidelines

Welcome to the 7 Cups Leadership community. To ensure that the community is being utilized as it should, please familiarize yourself with the guidelines below:

Please ensure that all of your respective project posts as updated regularly with the requirements, how to contact leaders with questions about your post, the average time to hear back from a role, and how to apply.
Please make posts for your team or projects that you need help with in the Help Wanted Hub.
For community-related concerns or questions, you can contact @tommy.
If there is a project needing help, @SoulfullyAButterfly can be contacted for assistance.
Please ensure that other projects are able to get a chance to be featured. This is a shared share and everyone's project is just as equal and deserves the same highlight as others.
For a list of other community-based teams and projects, you can visit the Community Project and Events community
Community leaders are a significant part of our community. In stepping into a leadership role with 7 Cups, you have agreed that you align with our values and wish to uphold our mission. You have the ability to inform and influence our community members. So, it is important to lead by example and be a role model to inspire others to aspire to be someone like you to extend support to others. Please read the 7 Cups Leadership guidelines that all leaders, irrespective of teams or projects are to follow.

Read the 7 Cups Guidelines

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