Circle Practice

Purpose

Circle Practice, drawing on indigenous traditions and formalized by Christina Baldwin and Ann Linnea as PeerSpirit Circle, is a foundational practice for participatory leadership. The circle equalizes power, slows down conversation, and creates conditions for deep listening and collective wisdom. It is both a standalone practice and a container that enhances any other method.

At a glance

How to run

1. Set the circle (5 min). Arrange chairs in a circle. Place a meaningful object in the center. Welcome participants and introduce the three principles: rotating leadership, shared responsibility, reliance on wholeness.
2. Establish agreements (5 min). Review circle agreements: speak with intention, listen with attention, tend to the well-being of the group, honor confidentiality.
3. Check-in round (10 min). Pass the talking piece. Each person shares briefly: What am I bringing? What do I need to set aside to be fully present? No cross-talk.
4. Open circle (15 min). State the purpose or question. The talking piece can be placed in the center for anyone to pick up when moved to speak. Or pass it around for structured rounds.
5. Guardian of the process. One person serves as guardian — they can pause the circle at any time by ringing a bell if the conversation needs to slow down, if agreements are being broken, or if silence would serve.
6. Check-out round (10 min). Pass the talking piece. Each person shares one thing they are taking away.

Materials needed

• Chairs in a circle (no table)
• Talking piece (stone, stick, meaningful object)
• Center marker (candle, cloth, flowers)
• Bell for the guardian
• Printed agreements card

Pitfalls & common mistakes

• Treating the circle as a meeting. Circle is not about agenda items and decisions — it is about quality of presence and listening.
• Ignoring the talking piece. Cross-talk defeats the purpose. Hold the discipline, especially early on.
• No guardian. Without someone tending the process, circles can drift into discussion or be hijacked.
• Rushing. Circle practice values slowness. If you only have 15 minutes, choose a different format.

Inclusion & accessibility

• The circle is inherently inclusive — everyone is equidistant from the center.
• The talking piece ensures everyone has equal opportunity to speak.
• Allow passing — no one is forced to speak.
• Be transparent about the indigenous roots of circle practice and use it with respect.

Variations

• Standing circle: For short check-ins (5–10 min).
• Walking circle: Pairs walk and talk, then return to the circle to share.
• Virtual circle: Use a visual circle layout on screen; "pass" the speaking turn by name.

When NOT to use this

• When rapid decision-making is needed — circles are for depth, not speed.
• When the group is too large (> 30) for everyone to speak meaningfully.
• When participants are openly hostile to the format — forcing circle practice creates resistance.

Source & further reading

• Baldwin, C. & Linnea, A. (2010). *The Circle Way: A Leader in Every Chair*. Berrett-Koehler.
• Zimmerman, J. & Coyle, V. (2009). *The Way of Council*. Bramble Books.
• Pranis, K. (2005). *The Little Book of Circle Processes*. Good Books.