The Unspoken Power of the Circle: Building Connection and Trust, One Yarn at a Time
In our work to bring communities together and ignite collective action, we've repeatedly witnessed the profound impact of a simple, ancient shape: the circle. It might seem obvious, but there's an undeniable power when a group comes together without a head or a foot, where everyone is equally visible and equally heard. It’s more than just seating arrangements; it's about intentionally crafting a space that fosters connection, builds trust, and deepens relationships.
Setting the Stage for Togetherness
From our very first introductory session, we made a deliberate choice: everyone in a big circle of chairs. This wasn't accidental; it was about setting the scene, creating the atmosphere we wanted to cultivate. This practice became a cornerstone of our process. Whenever the whole group needed to converge, we formed that familiar circle. Why? Because it instinctively fosters togetherness. It removes barriers, encourages eye contact, and signals that everyone present is an integral part of the conversation.
We even played with this dynamic. In one spontaneous moment during that first session, we collectively wove a story. The facilitator started, then went around the circle, inviting each person to contribute a word, a phrase, a sentence. This simple exercise, like many others we employed, wasn't just about fun; it was a gentle nudge to engage and connect, building a shared experience from individual contributions.
Weaving Connections: The Ball of Wool Exercise Week 7
The true magic of the circle, however, became beautifully evident in an exercise involving a ball of wool. Following some "how might we" brainstorming, we wanted to solidify commitments for a planned Christmas celebration. We began with the question, "How might we have a really great Christmas celebration?" As people offered ideas, the ball of wool was gently tossed to them. With each contribution, the yarn created a visible link, connecting speaker to speaker.
We did this three times in one session, and the richness of the offerings was incredible. As more people contributed, others felt inspired to share, too. By the end, we had a stunning visual: all of us, holding segments of the wool, a tangible web of our collective connection. It was a powerful, silent testament to our shared purpose and growing bonds.
And the result? That Christmas celebration was truly magnificent. It was filled with performances, delicious food, genuine sharing, and a palpable sense of joy. There were Secret Santas and countless moments of warm human connection. In a neighbourhood where many people hadn't known each other before this process, these visible and felt connections were incredibly important.
The Inclusive Power of the Circle
The circle inherently embraces equality and inclusivity. When we gather in a circle, everyone is valued. The size of the circle and the depth of connection around the circle are also important considerations. Although it sets up a more equal footing for interaction, it doesn`t always foster equity. Different people`s ability to offer into the circle are not the same. What we did observe is that over time, (hence the importance of making and taking the time) we observed more confidence from more members of the group to speak up., as relationships and resultant trust grew. A larger circle, for instance, can feel more intimidating for some. These are important nuances to consider as we continue to harness the power of this simple yet profound shape.
Ultimately, the circle isn't just a physical arrangement; it’s a catalyst for collaboration. It enables us to see each other, truly listen, and build the deep relationships and trust necessary for collective action. It's a foundational tool in our journey to create stronger, more connected communities. Its really important to deliberately work on enabling all participants to fully show up and have a voice and this was keenly demonstrated in the holding and functioning of the core group of the programme and the importance of how a group is held and supported to show up.
Circles are part of the antidote to the coercive power of the triangle or hierarchy that governs our approach to organising, team management, organisational form and partnership structures. If decision making and resource allocation is held at the apex of these structures those on the ground doing the doing are less able to own the work and develop the work and have the flexibility needed to evolve and develop. Circles empower and foster relationship, triangles foster cohesion and disempowerment and often reinforce adult child like behaviours.