1. 10 Rules of the Circle
A few simple but very important rules to
have a produc7ve mee7ng or discussion.
-­‐ from the Circle Methodology
1.
All
are
equal
and
very
important
In
the
Circle,
no
one
is
more
or
less
important;
all
are
equal
and
very
important.
When
in
the
Circle,
we
forget
about
our
job
?tles
and
work
responsibili?es
and
we
do
not
discriminate
based
on
gender,
age
or
other
externali?es.
All
who
sit
at
the
table
are
completely
neutral.
No
one
is
“big”
or
“small,”
we
are
all
equal.
2.
We
keep
one
single
topic
To
ensure
the
Circle
is
effec?ve,
we
all
pay
aHen?on
only
to
the
discussed
topic
and
never
get
sidetracked
away
from
it.
3.
Everyone
takes
an
ac@ve
part
By
compelling
everyone
to
share
their
views
we
achieve
an
environment
in
which
everyone
“adds”
to
the
mutual
solu?on.
By
presen?ng
one’s
own
point
of
view
and
connec?ng
it
with
others’
points
of
view,
each
par?cipant
begins
to
beHer
understand
others
and
also
him
or
herself.
If
someone
does
not
contribute
to
the
discussion,
they
fail
to
add
an
important
ingredient
to
the
common
plaHer.
4.
Everyone
listens
to
and
hears
others
In
addi?on
to
sharing
our
viewpoints,
we
also
listen
aHen?vely
to
all
others
without
interrup?ng.
And
when
it
comes
to
listening,
we
try
to
not
just
hear
the
others
but
to
feel
what
they
are
saying.
This
is
of
paramount
importance
for
our
Circle.
5.
Do
not
argue,
cri@cize
or
judge
We
avoid
reac?ng
to
or
arguing
against
the
opinions
of
others.
Instead,
we
accept
all
opinions...
no
maHer
how
absurd
they
may
seem
to
you!
There
are
no
right
or
wrong
opinions;
all
of
them
have
the
right
to
exist
and
to
be
considered.
Try
to
remember
that
people
in
the
Circle
are
making
efforts
to
be
honest
and
there
is
huge
benefit
in
this.
We
do
not
want
to
discourage
them
from
doing
this
by
judging
them
in
any
way.
This
rule
is
so
important
that
keeping
it
is
what
makes
or
breaks
the
Circle.
6.
Speak
to
the
“center
of
the
Circle”
only
To
help
us
all
focus
on
the
topic
and
create
a
unifying
atmosphere,
we
do
not
enter
into
dialogue,
pose
ques?ons
to
each
other
or
compliment
or
negate
anyone.
We
do
not
use
phrases
like,
"I
agree
with
...",
"I
like
what
was
said
by
...",
or
"I
support
...”
Each
par?cipant
should
speak
without
turning
personally
to
anyone,
but
rather
by
speaking
directly
into
the
“center
of
the
Circle.”
7.
Rise
above
nega@ve
sensa@ons
It
is
natural
to
experience
feelings
of
irrita?on,
dislike,
a
lack
of
understanding
or
disagreement
when
engaging
with
others.
If
we
experience
such
feelings
in
the
Circle,
we
try
to
overcome
them
by
looking
at
the
issue
through
the
eyes
of
others.
Trying
to
come
out
of
ourselves
we
are
rising
above
what
divides
us
to
discover
what
unites
us.
When
we
are
successful
in
our
aHempts
we
realize
that
it
is
precisely
such
moments
that
offer
the
greatest
opportuni?es
for
mutual
advancement
and
growth.
8.
Avoid
slogans
and
clichés,
just
be
honest
It
is
important
to
say
only
what
a
person
really
feels
or
thinks,
without
relying
on
others’
opinions
or
quo?ng
celebri?es
or
what
we
may
be
expected
to
say.
The
Circle
works
best
when
its
par?cipants
are
sincere.
Period.
9.
Make
decisions
together
Best
decisions
come
from
mutual
understanding
and
connec?on
and
must
be
unanimous.
This
is
something
that
happens
toward
the
end
of
the
discussion
(or
series
of
discussions),
when
all
personal
opinions
converge
into
a
collec?ve
opinion.
Only
collec?ve
decisions
have
a
true
and
las?ng
impact.
In
essence,
it’s
the
power
of
collec?ve
intelligence
or
the
next
level
of
consciousness.
10.
Strive
to
create
a
space
of
collabora@on,
care,
trust
and
harmony
In
everything
we
do,
whether
speaking
or
listening
to
others,
we
are
aiming
toward
aHaining
a
feeling
of
par?cipa?on,
care
and
trust.
We
aim
for
this
goal.
Superior
results
and
solu?ons
will
arise
naturally
once
we
manage
to
form
the
integral
field
that
connects
everyone.