In addition there are 3 Circle Guiding Principles: • The opinions of others are exceptionally important to me • My opinion is exceptionally important to others • There are no contradictions between our opinions

1. 10 Rules of the Circle: The Ultimate
Problem Solving Tool
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2. Rule #1. All are equal and very important
In the Circle, no one is more or less important;
all are equal and very important. In discussion,
we forget about our job titles and work
responsibilities and we do not discriminate
based on gender, age or other externalities.
We sit in the Circle with a clear conscience and
open mind: no one is “great” or “small,” here
and now everyone is equal.
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3. Rule #2. We keep one single topic
To ensure the Circle is effective we pay
attention to the discussed topic and never get
sidetracked away from it.
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4. Rule #3. Everyone takes an active part
By compelling everyone to share
their views we achieve an
environment in which everyone
“adds” to the mutual solution. By
presenting one’s own point of view
and connecting it with others’
points of view, each participant
begins to better 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 platter.
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5. Rule #4. Everyone listens to and hears others
In addition to sharing our
viewpoints, we also listen
attentively to all others without
interrupting. 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.
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6. Rule #5. Do not argue, criticize or judge
We avoid reacting to or arguing
against the opinions of others.
Instead, we accept all opinions...no
matter 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 we
would say that keeping it is what
makes or breaks the Circle.
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7. Rule #7. Rise above negative sensations
It is natural to experience feelings of
irritation, 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
attempts we realize that it is
precisely such moments that offer
the greatest opportunities for mutual
advancement and growth.
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8. Rule #7. 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 dialogues, pose
questions 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 participant should
speak without turning personally to
anyone, but rather by speaking
directly into the “center of the
Circle.”
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9. Rule #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 quoting celebrities
or what we may be expected
to say. The Circle works best
when its participants are
sincere. Period.
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10. Rule #9. Make decisions collectively
Good decisions come from
mutual understanding and
connection 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
collective opinion. Only
collective decisions have a true
and lasting impact. In essence,
it’s the power of collective
intelligence or the next level of
consciousness.
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11. Rule #10. Strive to create a space of
collaboration, care, trust and harmony
In everything we do, whether
speaking or listening to others, we
are aiming toward attaining a
feeling of participation, care and
trust. We aim for this goal.
Superior results and solutions will
arise naturally once we manage to
form the integral field that
connects everyone.
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