The Power of A Circle
Understanding the power of a circle is paramount to our life right now. Did you know that circles represent harmony and unity?
Lakota Chief Dave Oglala shares, “The Circle has healing power. In the Circle, we are all equal. When in the Circle, no one is in front of you, no one is behind you. No one is above you. No one is below you.
The Sacred Circle is designed to create unity. The Hoop of Life is also a circle. On this hoop there is a place for every species, every race, every tree and every plant. It is this completeness of Life that must be respected in order to bring about health on this planet.”
A circle symbolizes the interdependence of life and is foundational for the future we are creating. We are building more purpose-driven structures like economies that are circular. And by doing so, respecting not only our resources but people as well. We are beginning to understand that there are both ancient and new ways of living where we don’t need to poison our air, water, earth, minds and food supplies.
When we participate in a circle, our ability to connect and understand each other improves substantially. There is no hierarchy in a circle and everyone can have an equal voice. Imagine classrooms, boardrooms and any other rooms having circular seating arrangements that support our ability to connect in open dialogue. No one is at the top of the pyramid.
Less Pyramids, Perhaps?
In a pyramid, there are hierarchies where people are are above and below others. You can clearly see the power structure and that strategy and culture originates at the top. It is clear to see who the leaders are and who the followers are. It divides us and shows us our place. And study after study shows, increasing disengagement and lip service.
The truth is structure is not as important as how communication takes place among us. And having a flow of information and an ability to connect in open dialogue is foundational to building communities—whether it’s employees, customers, partners and members. The question is, can we lift each other up? Why? Because when we bring to life shared purpose and values in our actions, we bring out the best in ourselves and each other.
We simply can play and get stuff done with ease and flow when we are not stuck in archaic reporting structures and endless meetings.
Circles helps us stay close to what we need and have access and flow. At the end of the day, who wants to be divided at the bottom of any pyramid—whether it is a manipulative scheme or a structure?
A Circle of Opportunity
This century is about opportunities and they are abundant when we step into our power as creators of possibilities. And imagine the structures we need to support us.
Because after all, what is the purpose of gathering other than creating? What if we no longer listened to just one speaker at the front of the room? Margaret J. Wheatley reminds us that “Circles create soothing space, where even reticent people can realize that their voice is welcome.”
The conscious leaders of our time are not on flashy magazine covers or being charged with fraud. We are in the frontlines creating what we need with people who share our passions. We are focused on humanity’s biggest opportunities; not fixing endless problems.
Imagine circles being the fabric of our lives in creating harmony and unity. The circle represents the limitless from eternity to unity to infinity, and wholeness.
Who is in your circle? And what trusted communities are you a be a part of? Maybe it’s time to create your own circles of connection, compassion and play?