Click here to see a full description of the 7Cs of Social change
INDIVIDUAL VALUES
1) CONSCIOUSNESS OF SELF: being aware of the beliefs, values, attitudes, and emotions that motivates one to take action
What I know about this value? How, specifically, did I learn this?
Consciousness of self is knowing and understanding what drives you as a person. The first time that I really evaluated my self was during my freshman year of college. I am from a very small town where people have had similar experiences in life, and meeting new people at Virginia Tech really opened my eyes to the multiple personalities and life experiences that were so different than mine. While going through training as an Orientation Leader, we took a series of personality and strength tests, and this also allowed me to analyze who I am and why I choose to make certain decisions.
So what? Why does this learning matter, or why is it significant?
Being aware of who you are as a person allows you to better understand how to work with and get along with others and how to make decisions. Throughout life, we will be put into situations that may challenge our values, but if we are aware of our true self, these situations will not be difficult to overcome.
Now what? In what ways will I apply this insight?
As individuals, we never stop maturing and exploring the world around us. As I graduate from college and enter a new chapter in my life, I will constantly try to be aware of my character and the choices I make based on my values.
1) CONSCIOUSNESS OF SELF: being aware of the beliefs, values, attitudes, and emotions that motivates one to take action
What I know about this value? How, specifically, did I learn this?
Consciousness of self is knowing and understanding what drives you as a person. The first time that I really evaluated my self was during my freshman year of college. I am from a very small town where people have had similar experiences in life, and meeting new people at Virginia Tech really opened my eyes to the multiple personalities and life experiences that were so different than mine. While going through training as an Orientation Leader, we took a series of personality and strength tests, and this also allowed me to analyze who I am and why I choose to make certain decisions.
So what? Why does this learning matter, or why is it significant?
Being aware of who you are as a person allows you to better understand how to work with and get along with others and how to make decisions. Throughout life, we will be put into situations that may challenge our values, but if we are aware of our true self, these situations will not be difficult to overcome.
Now what? In what ways will I apply this insight?
As individuals, we never stop maturing and exploring the world around us. As I graduate from college and enter a new chapter in my life, I will constantly try to be aware of my character and the choices I make based on my values.
2) CONGRUENCE: being consistent with the way you act toward other and constantly keeping your values, morals, and beliefs in mind when making decisions
What I know about this value? How, specifically, did I learn this?
I learned the importance of congruence during my time as Chapter President for my sorority, Kappa Delta. It is important to be consistent in treatment of others, as well as decision making so others know what to expect from you as a leader and friend.
So what? Why does this learning matter, or why is it significant?
Having a congruent leadership style allows the leader to gain respect and credibility because others know the decisions will be fair and for the good of the group.
Now what? In what ways will I apply this insight?
As I begin my job as a Leadership Development Consultant for Kappa Delta, I will be congruent in the way I treat others and in the way I make decisions as a part of my job. This will allow me to better connect with those I meet and in turn I will form new and lasting relationships.
What I know about this value? How, specifically, did I learn this?
I learned the importance of congruence during my time as Chapter President for my sorority, Kappa Delta. It is important to be consistent in treatment of others, as well as decision making so others know what to expect from you as a leader and friend.
So what? Why does this learning matter, or why is it significant?
Having a congruent leadership style allows the leader to gain respect and credibility because others know the decisions will be fair and for the good of the group.
Now what? In what ways will I apply this insight?
As I begin my job as a Leadership Development Consultant for Kappa Delta, I will be congruent in the way I treat others and in the way I make decisions as a part of my job. This will allow me to better connect with those I meet and in turn I will form new and lasting relationships.
3) COMMITMENT: the psychic energy that motivates the individual to serve and that drives the collective effort. Commitment implies passion, intensity, and duration.
What I know about this value? How, specifically, did I learn this?
Being a member of sports teams in high school truly showed me the importance of commitment. There were days that I wanted to go home and sleep instead of going to practice, but I knew I had to be a team player and work hard through practice in order to better myself as a player and teammate. To be the best version of yourself, you have to be committed and willing to take the extra steps to reach your full potential. In some instances this means staying after practice for 30 minutes, but in other cases it means studying longer to make an A on a test.
So what? Why does this learning matter, or why is it significant?
Being committed is important because it shows true passion. If we go through life halfheartedly, we will be missing out on amazing opportunities and not living up to out full potential.
Now what? In what ways will I apply this insight?
As I go through life, I will remember that being committed is the key to success and achieving goals. I always want to strive to be the best version of myself, so I will have to remember that commitment is the key, even when I do not feel motivated.
What I know about this value? How, specifically, did I learn this?
Being a member of sports teams in high school truly showed me the importance of commitment. There were days that I wanted to go home and sleep instead of going to practice, but I knew I had to be a team player and work hard through practice in order to better myself as a player and teammate. To be the best version of yourself, you have to be committed and willing to take the extra steps to reach your full potential. In some instances this means staying after practice for 30 minutes, but in other cases it means studying longer to make an A on a test.
So what? Why does this learning matter, or why is it significant?
Being committed is important because it shows true passion. If we go through life halfheartedly, we will be missing out on amazing opportunities and not living up to out full potential.
Now what? In what ways will I apply this insight?
As I go through life, I will remember that being committed is the key to success and achieving goals. I always want to strive to be the best version of myself, so I will have to remember that commitment is the key, even when I do not feel motivated.
GROUP VALUES
4) COLLABORATION: merging individual beliefs and abilities to accomplish a common goal
§ What I know about this value? How, specifically, did I learn this?
This semester, I am enrolled in my communication capstone. The last half of the semester is to be spent working on a final project with other members of the class. Working with two other individuals has taught me the importance of collaboration.
So what? Why does this learning matter, or why is it significant?
At the beginning of my group’s project, we had many ideas floating around, but after coming together and discussing, we collaborated our ideas and have formed a great topic. It has also shown each member of my group what our individual strengths are and how we can use those to have a successful project.
Now what? In what ways will I apply this insight?
By collaborating with my other group members, I have learned how to capitalize off the ideas of others, as well as offer constructive criticism. I know I will have to work in groups later in life and this insight will be very helpful.
5) COMMON PURPOSE: to work with shared values and aims
What I know about this value? How, specifically, did I learn this?
While serving on council for my sorority Kappa Delta, it was our hope to better the chapter. We set many individual goals, council goals, and chapter goals. We were all working together for the common purpose of bettering our chapter in hopes of getting national recognition.
So what? Why does this learning matter, or why is it significant?
As individual council members, we had expectations for our chapter, and by working together toward the common goal, we were able to achieve more success.
Now what? In what ways will I apply this insight?
By learning to work with others toward a common goal, I feel very prepared to do this in a work or organizational structure in the future.
4) COLLABORATION: merging individual beliefs and abilities to accomplish a common goal
§ What I know about this value? How, specifically, did I learn this?
This semester, I am enrolled in my communication capstone. The last half of the semester is to be spent working on a final project with other members of the class. Working with two other individuals has taught me the importance of collaboration.
So what? Why does this learning matter, or why is it significant?
At the beginning of my group’s project, we had many ideas floating around, but after coming together and discussing, we collaborated our ideas and have formed a great topic. It has also shown each member of my group what our individual strengths are and how we can use those to have a successful project.
Now what? In what ways will I apply this insight?
By collaborating with my other group members, I have learned how to capitalize off the ideas of others, as well as offer constructive criticism. I know I will have to work in groups later in life and this insight will be very helpful.
5) COMMON PURPOSE: to work with shared values and aims
What I know about this value? How, specifically, did I learn this?
While serving on council for my sorority Kappa Delta, it was our hope to better the chapter. We set many individual goals, council goals, and chapter goals. We were all working together for the common purpose of bettering our chapter in hopes of getting national recognition.
So what? Why does this learning matter, or why is it significant?
As individual council members, we had expectations for our chapter, and by working together toward the common goal, we were able to achieve more success.
Now what? In what ways will I apply this insight?
By learning to work with others toward a common goal, I feel very prepared to do this in a work or organizational structure in the future.
6) CONTROVERSY WITH CIVILITY: differences in a group are inevitable, but can be resolved or compromised through open and honest discussion
What I know about this value? How, specifically, did I learn this?
When I came to Virginia Tech, I had never shared a bathroom or closet with anyone before, so it was an adjustment for me to live in a dorm room with a roommate. We didn’t have any major problems, but we differed on cleaning the room, washing dishes, and talking out the trash. Through civilly voicing our opinions we compromised and never had problems. Sometimes talking about things is all it takes to move forward.
So what? Why does this learning matter, or why is it significant?
Throughout life we will encounter many people who have different opinions and beliefs than our own. It is important that we resolve or understand the differences in a respectable manner.
Now what? In what ways will I apply this insight?
When I leave my comfort zone of Virginia Tech, I know I will encounter many more people who have different beliefs than me, but through my roommate experience, I know I will be able to work through the situation.
What I know about this value? How, specifically, did I learn this?
When I came to Virginia Tech, I had never shared a bathroom or closet with anyone before, so it was an adjustment for me to live in a dorm room with a roommate. We didn’t have any major problems, but we differed on cleaning the room, washing dishes, and talking out the trash. Through civilly voicing our opinions we compromised and never had problems. Sometimes talking about things is all it takes to move forward.
So what? Why does this learning matter, or why is it significant?
Throughout life we will encounter many people who have different opinions and beliefs than our own. It is important that we resolve or understand the differences in a respectable manner.
Now what? In what ways will I apply this insight?
When I leave my comfort zone of Virginia Tech, I know I will encounter many more people who have different beliefs than me, but through my roommate experience, I know I will be able to work through the situation.
COMMUNITY VALUES
7) CITIZENSHIP: The duty of a community member to be an actively involved change agent for the betterment of their community
What I know about this value? How, specifically, did I learn this?
Being a good student and living out citizenship is the duty of every individual, no matter what community they are a part of. Citizenship encompasses actions of responsibility, being a change agent, and actively engaging in the community around them. We all learn about citizenship in the early years of school, but my time as a student at Virginia Tech has allowed me to fully understand the concept of citizenship. People who understand and mirror citizenship acknowledge the value of community and work well with others toward a common goal. Being aware of how one can contribute to a community is also a part of citizenship. Individuals can hold big roles to live out their citizenship such as being members or leaders of organizations, or they can simply give a nice compliment or hold the door for someone. Overall, citizenship is the positive change and impact a person can be in bettering their community.
So what? Why does this learning matter, or why is it significant?
Learning what citizenship matters because throughout life we will be citizens of different communities and will constantly be interacting with different individuals. As citizens, it is important that we know and understand the different roles we can play while interacting with those around us, changing the community, and being a courageous leader.
Now what? In what ways will I apply this insight?
In the next few years, I will become a part of many new communities because I will be moving a lot. It is important that I know how to interact with those around me and that I understand the roles I can play in order to make a positive change in the communities I am a part of and to the people I encounter.
7) CITIZENSHIP: The duty of a community member to be an actively involved change agent for the betterment of their community
What I know about this value? How, specifically, did I learn this?
Being a good student and living out citizenship is the duty of every individual, no matter what community they are a part of. Citizenship encompasses actions of responsibility, being a change agent, and actively engaging in the community around them. We all learn about citizenship in the early years of school, but my time as a student at Virginia Tech has allowed me to fully understand the concept of citizenship. People who understand and mirror citizenship acknowledge the value of community and work well with others toward a common goal. Being aware of how one can contribute to a community is also a part of citizenship. Individuals can hold big roles to live out their citizenship such as being members or leaders of organizations, or they can simply give a nice compliment or hold the door for someone. Overall, citizenship is the positive change and impact a person can be in bettering their community.
So what? Why does this learning matter, or why is it significant?
Learning what citizenship matters because throughout life we will be citizens of different communities and will constantly be interacting with different individuals. As citizens, it is important that we know and understand the different roles we can play while interacting with those around us, changing the community, and being a courageous leader.
Now what? In what ways will I apply this insight?
In the next few years, I will become a part of many new communities because I will be moving a lot. It is important that I know how to interact with those around me and that I understand the roles I can play in order to make a positive change in the communities I am a part of and to the people I encounter.