The Significance of Circles
Circles are an old technology used to create personal, organizational and social change. Circles appear across cultures and are known by many names: book clubs, elder’s councils, quality circles, and lending circles. Regardless of name, the results are the same, people gathering in a circle to think, learn and act together.
Circles are effective because their structure promotes egalitarian participation, which leads to higher levels of intrinsic motivation and agency. This is in contrast to hierarchical and authoritarian environments symbolized by the triangle. Some of the assumptions underlying collaboration in circles are:
- Everyone has wisdom
- Everyone’s wisdom is needed for the wisest result
- There are no wrong answers
- The whole is greater than the sum of the parts
- Everyone will have the opportunity to hear and be heard
The power of circles comes from sharing ideas and thinking together in a safe environment that nurtures innovation, curiosity, exploration, learning, and action.
The network of consultants at Circles of Change use well researched methods to create an environment that inspires the best thinking of groups. In this environment group members co-create the shared vision, practical plan, and ongoing reflection and learning that generates collective capacity for intentional action and positive change.
