The Seven C's of Relationships
We all choose individuals to be around us, and most of them are pretty good finds. But it's easy to get
out of balance and have more "drain" conversations than "gain" conversations. Dr. John Townsend's Seven
C's model helps us be intentional about how we spend our time and energy in relationships, ranked from
highest to lowest resource for you.
The Seven C's (Highest to Lowest Resource)
1. COACHES
Mentors and guides with expertise who develop you.
Subject matter experts in leadership, parenting, or growth; know how to coach with theory and steps;
make time "all about you."
2. COMRADES
Your Life Team—3-10 people who know everything about you.
Know it all about you, accept you fully, tell you needed truths. Fully involved in own growth, want
mutual help.
3. CASUALS
Good, positive friends and neighbors you enjoy.
Just good, positive people. Kids on same teams, like same activities. Help enjoy life, "farm team" for
Life Team.
4. COLLEAGUES
Competent, relationally-oriented work/school partners.
Truly competent, relationally oriented, work well on teams. Make work/school energy-producing vs
draining.
5. CARE
Those you help who need what you can supply.
People without something you can provide. Help make world better, release oxytocin. Need to give back
but watch energy.
6. CHRONICS
"Bless their heart" individuals with ongoing problems.
Long-term patterns, flat learning curve. Don't learn from experiences or apply repeated advice. Want
support more than solutions.
7. CONTAMINANTS
People with bad motives who damage others.
Beyond normal imperfection. Envious, desire to divide and damage. Attack relationships, work,
well-being. Warn and distance.
Floor Movement Activity Instructions:
- Lay out 7 C relationship descriptions on ground in line
- Students walk around reading each description
- Ask exploration questions one at a time
- Students move to C-relationship representing their answer
- 2-3 from each area share reasoning