Course 3, Discussion 1: Service Leadership at 7 Cups
The term Service leadership (based on the philosophy of servant leadership, in which the main goal of the leader is to serve). Sometimes leaders or community members who help with projects receive high praise for their efforts (and they all deserve it) but this is never to take away or undermine the contributions of listeners who fly a little bit more under the radar. How one chooses to spend their volunteer time on 7 Cups is up to them & we love you all the same!
We've long said that if you want to be a mentor, be a mentor, eventually you'll get a badge. These service leadership roles are incredibly important to the functionality of our community. The individuals in these posts do an excellent job helping to keep our community safe and positive. I am very thankful for them.
Service leadership is simply about where you plan to spend your time. To those of you out there who focus 100% on member chats, we LOVE YOU! To those of you out there who focus on community programs, we LOVE YOU TOO! All of these contributions are equally valuable and important. As a collective community, our aim is to honor your contributions, no matter where or how they manifest.
In this vein, my hope is that you will remember 3 key things:
1. Self-care - always! Make sure self-care is baked into your volunteer work here
2. Don't take on more than you are able. If you don't have the bandwidth to do something, you owe it to yourself and the community to say no. It is 100% okay to say no. (And if you are asking someone to help you with a project, please do not get upset if someone has to say no.)
3. Remember that 7 Cups is an ecosystem. Every single contribution matters!
If you'd like to be in a service leadership role, my advice would be:
1. Pay attention to how others are contributing
2. Figure out what gets you excited in the community!
3. Once you have an idea of what gets you excited, dive in! You dont need to have a mentor badge to help out, get involved & start learning.
4. If you're not sure how to get involved, you can chat with a mentor or sign up for listener coaching.
5. Once you feel comfortable with your area of attention, apply for the appropriate mentor track.
✒️ Question: What do you think of the idea of service leadership? Can you list one example of service leadership you have seen on 7 Cups?
✒️ Please reply to at least 1 of your peers in this thread with encouraging or supportive words!
❗After fulfilling the requirements of this post, please check out the next post here!
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@FrenchToast
Question: What do you think of the idea of service leadership? Can you list one example of service leadership you have seen on 7 Cups?
Service leadership is the commitment and dedication to diligently work for the cause you feel personally associated to. I feel, the intent to serve and contribute comes strong when we have a personal reason or inner inspiration that keeps driving us even when things don't go well or as we plan.
I have seen multiple examples of service leadership on 7 Cups and those people have always inspired me to stand up for the cause not only when it's comfortable but also when it's not easy. That is what the real character of a leader is. The listeners kindness who I interacted with, the community admin, project agents, community mentors who keep sharing their knowledge, their brave stories and their deep desire to make a change ad leave a positive impact on the world. I look up to working with them with all grace! 💕
@resilience2025
Well said!
Dear @resilience2025,
Very nice answer. I liked how you referred to the 7 cup’s community keep it up.
@FrenchToast
Service leadership is to serve others in the community, look out for there needs and be there to answer there questions and guide them.
Example: Chatroom supporters, mentors with all tracks, community moderators
Question: What are your thoughts on service leadership? Can you provide an example of service leadership you've observed on 7 Cups?
Answer:
Service leadership ensures that tasks are completed effectively and with
care. I've seen this demonstrated by a room supporter who, upon
entering the room, immediately checks to see if anyone needs help. If
there's any issue, they respond within seconds. They also help manage
the room and make sure everyone has a chance to speak and be heard.
@Zaxoosh
Our room supporters are amazing in supporting our 7 Cups community! As you say they show care for everyone and ensure everyone can speak and be heard.
I love the idea of service leadership being framed as serving the community! I believe that's what all great leaders should aim to do. But so often our idea of leadership looks more like having power over a community which isn't necessarily a bad thing but often has bad connotations. Meanwhile service leadership is more about caring for and guiding the community.
In 7 Cups an example of service leadership I've seen are our wonderful and hardworking sharing circle hosts who guide the sessions and ultimately serve our community!
Dear @FrenchToast,
✒️ Question: What do you think of the idea of service leadership? Can you list one example of service leadership you have seen on 7 Cups?
Service leadership is a powerful leadership style, and perfectly fit for 7Cups community because it values all types of contributions.
an example
Listener welcoming new members, answering there questions, also me as a listener when I enrolled in this program. A mentor welcomed me and made sure everything was okay.
✒️ Please reply to at least 1 of your peers in this thread with encouraging or supportive words!
I will
@Yourstranger1
great thoughts!
@FrenchToast
Service leaderships make sure work is done correctly. I have seen a room supporter as soon as they enter the room the check on others if there any trouble in the room they take action within secondss, sometimes they handle the room and make sure everyone gets their chance to be heard.
i will reply to my peer!!
Service leadership is the ability of a leader to wholeheartedly heed to the needs of a member. For example, in 7 Cups, well-seasoned mentors listen to the plights of new listeners and aid them in their concerns.
@MicLartey1
I agree, the mentors re a great example of service leadership.
@FrenchToast
✒️ Question: What do you think of the idea of service leadership? Can you list one example of service leadership you have seen on 7 Cups?
the idea of service leadership is that the goal of a leader is to serve. one example i have seen is how every leader and listener put the idea of helping and serving others first.
@FrenchToast
I think the idea of service leadership as the idea that leaders need to serve is pretty good description of what it means to be a good leader.
An example I have seen is the Mentors who are always around to help when I need them!
@sunnyCloud660 Well said!
@FrenchToast
Question: What do you think of the idea of service leadership? Can you list one example of service leadership you have seen on 7 Cups?
For my work I have done PMI PMP certification - The idea of a servant leader is a key concept in this. I think we can expand this to all leadership aspects. We need to remember that we are not taking this as part of power grab, leadership means how you can serve the community and not be a dictator. You need to keep service as a core concept in all the aspects of leadership. This will ensure that you drive your leadership journey in the right direction
@courageousPup5706 Good response.