What is the Circle Way?

It is a way of being in the world.

It is a structure for deep conversations and wise outcomes.

A growing movement of global practice.

A methodology founded by Christina Baldwin & Ann Linnea

Where circle comes from?

Circle started around the cook fires of humanity's ancestors and has accompanied us ever since.
We remember this space.
When we listen, we speak more thoughtfully and we lean into shared purpose.

circle components

Intention
Welcome - Start Point
Setting Center & Check In
Agreements
3 Principles & 3 Practices
Guardian of the Process
Check out & Farewell

Circle at work

The Circle Way gathers people into a circular shape with participants at the rim and the purpose is in the center.
Each person has a voice and everyone can see and hear one another.
Social agreements & practices help facilitate respectful conversation.
Circle supports a leader in every chair

About Sharon

It all started in 2000 when...

I was a learner in the Masters of Leadership program at Royal Roads University and Christina Baldwin the author of "Calling the Circle" was speaking to the cohort about circle process in the world. Her stories about this ancient lineage struck a cord and circle practice has become a way of being for me in the world. I have hosted circle in a variety of environments in healthcare, communities, woman's gathering in my local community, conferences, retreats, and learning circles to gather qualitative data for research. Over time my work has become practicing, coaching and teaching circle. As a host and facilitator I use other processes as needed to support this work.

A little more background....

In 2006 I left the Ontario Nurses' Association after serving nurses for 18 years in a variety of capacities from:

Manager Organizational Learning & Development
Lead Project Manager and Meeting Designer for conventions and provincial leadership meetings
Team Manager for Regional Staff Team of 30
Board Member of the Municipal Health and Safety Association for 12 years while working at ONA
Seconded to the project team for the Union's Organizational Transformation
Coordinator of bargaining for Public Health Nurses in Ontario
Front line Negotiator & Labour Relations Office
Registered Nurse at Lyndhurst Hospital for Spinal Cord Rehabilitation for 12 years before working with the union

What I do

I work with individuals, teams, leaders and organizations in building capacity to thrive in a world filled with chaos and uncertainty

I host and teach circle based processes that:

Creates a space for leadership growth and development
Allows for deep dialogue enhancing deeper listening
Helps people make wise decisions that lead to action
To build collaborative relationships in communities and workplaces
Helps people discover the questions and answers they already hold with in themselves

My Guiding Principles

That conflict and disruptions in groups/teams are opportunities to listen deeply
That listening with curiosity and discernment opens an energetic space for story to emerge
That often we only need to listen to help people find the answers to their questions
That questions are the journey

That there is a inner longing in all of us to be heard
That our differences enrich our experience and help us make wise decisions
That leadership is held by all of us and is not the sole responsibility of one person
That story is how we best share and remember our lived experience

That it is key to acknowledge that shadow is always present in any circle
That we are the designers of our lives whether we are aware or not
That building collaborative relationships creates opportunity for strong communities to emerge
That learning is a life long journey and sharing our learning teaches how much we can still learn