Circle leader resources

Why you should start a Circle

Starting a Lean In Circle is a powerful way to create a community of support, encouragement, and personal growth. Circles provide a space where women can share experiences, discuss challenges, and work together to overcome obstacles. The benefits of starting a Circle include (check out linked article below for a more extensive list of benefits):

• Building Confidence: Circles empower women to voice their thoughts and opinions, helping them to build confidence both within the group and in other areas of life.

• Fostering Leadership Skills: By leading or participating in a Circle, women develop crucial leadership skills such as facilitation, active listening, and conflict resolution.

• Creating Support Networks: Circles offer a reliable support system where members can discuss personal and professional challenges in a safe, judgment-free environment.

Women who participate in Lean In Circles often report feeling more connected, supported, and confident in pursuing their goals.

Read more about the benefits of starting a Circle

What It Means to Be a Circle Leader

Being a Circle Leader is a rewarding responsibility that involves guiding your group to ensure productive and meaningful meetings. Key responsibilities include:

• Facilitating Discussions: As a leader, you are responsible for creating an open environment where all members feel comfortable sharing. This involves preparing discussion topics, asking open-ended questions, and encouraging participation from everyone.

• Setting the Tone: Your leadership sets the example for how the Circle operates. Show empathy, maintain a positive attitude, and ensure that the group remains focused on its goals.

• Supporting Members: Part of your role is to be attuned to the needs and dynamics of the group. Offer support when needed, mediate any conflicts that arise, and help members feel valued.

• Organizing Meetings: Ensure that meetings are scheduled regularly and that the agenda is clear. It's important to balance structure with flexibility to accommodate the needs of your group.

Importantly, you don’t need to be an expert to lead a Circle—just someone who is committed to growing alongside others and helping them do the same.

Explore the responsibilities of a Circle Leader

Getting Started as a Circle Leader

Starting a Lean In Circle involves several key steps to ensure a strong foundation for your group:

• Define Your Purpose: Start by clarifying why you want to lead a Circle. Your purpose will guide your decisions and help you communicate your vision to potential members.

• Recruit Members: Reach out to friends, colleagues, or acquaintances who might benefit from joining your Circle. Aim for a diverse group of women who share a commitment to mutual growth and support.

• Plan Your First Meeting: Set a date and prepare an agenda. The first meeting should be an introduction to the Circle’s purpose and an opportunity for members to get to know each other. You can also discuss logistics, such as meeting frequency and preferred formats (in-person or virtual).

Your goal in these early stages is to create a welcoming environment where members feel excited to participate.

Learn how to get started as a Circle Leader

Who to Invite to Your Lean In Circle

Selecting the right members is crucial to the success of your Circle. Consider the following when inviting people:

• Diversity of Perspectives: Aim to include women from different backgrounds, industries, and stages of life. Diverse perspectives enrich discussions and offer broader support networks.

• Shared Commitment: Look for women who are committed to personal and professional growth, as well as to supporting others in the group.

• Group Size: A typical Circle consists of 8-12 members, which is small enough to foster intimacy and large enough to provide varied perspectives.

• Invitation Strategy: Start by making a list of potential members. Personalize your invitations to explain why you think they would benefit from and contribute to the Circle. You can also use the provided sample email template for this purpose.

Choosing the right mix of members will create a strong, supportive network that benefits everyone involved.

Discover tips on inviting members to your Circle

How to Schedule Circle Meetings

Regular meetings are essential for maintaining momentum and deepening connections within your Circle. To effectively schedule your meetings:

• Frequency: Most Circles meet once a month, though some groups may choose to meet more or less frequently depending on members' schedules and needs.

• Timing: Choose a time that works for the majority of members. It’s helpful to send out a poll to find a time that suits everyone.

• Flexibility: Be open to adjusting the schedule as needed. If conflicts arise, consider rotating meeting times or finding alternative ways for members to participate, such as through virtual meetings.

• Consistency: Try to keep a consistent meeting schedule to build a routine and make it easier for members to plan ahead.

Consistency and flexibility in scheduling will help maintain strong attendance and engagement in your Circle.

Get tips on scheduling your Circle meetings

How to Set Goals for Your Circle

Setting clear, achievable goals is vital for keeping your Circle focused and motivated. To set effective goals:

• Collaborative Goal Setting: Involve all members in the goal-setting process. This ensures that the goals reflect the group’s collective interests and needs.

• SMART Goals: Ensure your goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example, “Each member will complete one professional development course in the next six months.”

• Track Progress: Regularly review your Circle’s goals and discuss progress during meetings. Celebrate successes and adjust goals as necessary to keep them realistic and aligned with members’ needs.

• Personal and Group Goals: Encourage members to set both personal goals (e.g., improving public speaking skills) and group goals (e.g., organizing a community outreach event).

Setting and tracking goals not only provides direction for your Circle but also fosters a sense of achievement and progress.

Learn how to set and achieve goals for your Circle

What to Discuss in Your Circle Meetings

The topics you choose to discuss in your Circle meetings should resonate with members and encourage meaningful conversations. Some popular discussion themes include:

• Personal Growth: Topics such as self-confidence, leadership development, and work-life balance are often relevant and engaging.

• Professional Development: Discuss career advancement, networking strategies, or skill-building opportunities that benefit members’ professional lives.

• Current Events: Tie discussions to current events or trends that impact women, such as gender equality, diversity in the workplace, or political issues affecting women.

• Personal Stories: Encourage members to share personal experiences related to the topics. This helps build trust and deepens connections within the group.

You can also use resources like Connection Cards to spark discussions and keep meetings dynamic.

Find ideas for Circle meeting discussions

How to Run Your First Meeting

The first meeting is critical for setting the tone of your Circle. To ensure a successful kickoff:

• Introduction and Purpose: Begin by introducing yourself and sharing your reasons for starting the Circle. Outline the group’s purpose and what you hope to achieve together.

• Member Introductions: Allow each member to introduce themselves, share their motivations for joining, and discuss what they hope to gain from the Circle.

• Set Expectations: Discuss the format and frequency of meetings, the importance of confidentiality, and the role of each member in contributing to the group’s success.

• Discussion Topics: Introduce a simple, engaging topic for discussion to help members get comfortable sharing their thoughts and experiences.

• Wrap-Up and Next Steps: Summarize the key points discussed, confirm the date and agenda for the next meeting, and encourage members to stay connected between meetings.

By following this structure, you’ll create a positive, inclusive environment that encourages ongoing participation.

Follow this guide to run your first Circle meeting

Tips for Facilitating a Great Circle Meeting

Effective facilitation is key to ensuring probductive and engaging Circle meetings. Here are some tips:

• Active Listening: Encourage active listening by modeling it yourself. Acknowledge each speaker’s contributions and encourage others to do the same.

• Balanced Participation: Make sure that all members have the opportunity to speak. If someone is quiet, gently invite them to share their thoughts.

• Use Open-Ended Questions: Open-ended questions stimulate discussion and allow members to explore topics more deeply. For example, “What challenges have you faced at work this month?” rather than “Did you have any challenges?”

• Manage Time: Keep an eye on the time to ensure the meeting stays on track. Allocate time for each agenda item, and be prepared to wrap up discussions that run over.

• Create a Safe Space: Reinforce the importance of confidentiality and respect. Encourage members to share openly without fear of judgment.

These techniques will help you facilitate meetings that are inclusive, engaging, and productive.

Get tips on facilitating effective Circle meetings

How to Make Your Circle Meetings a Success

Successful Circle meetings don’t just happen—they require careful planning and a focus on creating value for all members. Key strategies include:

• Preparation: Plan your meetings in advance, including setting the agenda, preparing any materials, and confirming logistics.

• Engagement: Keep members engaged by varying the format of your meetings. Mix up discussion-based meetings with guest speakers, workshops, or social activities.

• Accountability: Encourage members to take ownership of the Circle’s success by assigning roles, such as timekeeper, note-taker, or discussion leader.

• Feedback: Regularly solicit feedback from members to understand what’s working well and what could be improved. Use this feedback to adjust your approach as needed.

By focusing on preparation, engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement, you can ensure your Circle meetings are consistently successful.

Discover strategies for successful Circle meetings

How to Communicate with Your Circle Online

Staying connected between meetings is essential, especially when members have busy schedules. Effective online communication involves:

• Choosing the Right Platform: Use a platform that suits the needs of your group, such as email, a group chat app (e.g., WhatsApp, Slack), or a private Facebook group.

• Regular Updates: Send regular updates about upcoming meetings, discussion topics, and any other relevant information. Keep the tone positive and encouraging.

• Encouraging Participation: Foster a sense of community by encouraging members to share updates, articles, or resources that might be of interest to the group.

• Maintaining Boundaries: While online communication is important, respect members’ time and boundaries. Avoid overwhelming them with too many messages or requests.

Effective online communication will keep your Circle connected and engaged between meetings.

Learn how to maintain communication with your Circle

How to Make Your Virtual Circle Meetings a Success

Virtual meetings come with their own set of challenges, but with the right approach, they can be just as effective as in-person meetings. Here’s how to make them a success:

• Technology: Choose a reliable platform like Zoom or Google Meet, and ensure all members are familiar with how to use it. Test the technology before the meeting to avoid technical issues.

• Engagement: Virtual meetings can sometimes feel less personal, so it’s important to keep everyone engaged. Use features like breakout rooms for small group discussions or interactive tools like polls and whiteboards.

• Clear Agendas: A clear, well-structured agenda is even more important in a virtual setting to keep the meeting focused and on track.

• Visuals: Use visuals such as slides or screen-sharing to enhance the discussion and keep members engaged.

• Etiquette: Encourage members to keep their cameras on if possible and mute their microphones when not speaking to minimize distractions.

These strategies will help you run virtual Circle meetings that are productive and engaging.

Read more about successful virtual Circle meetings

Sample Email to Invite New Members

Inviting new members to your Circle is an important step in growing your group. Here’s how to craft a compelling invitation:

• Personalization: Tailor your invitation to each individual, explaining why you believe they would be a valuable addition to the Circle.

• Clarity: Clearly explain the purpose of the Circle, what members can expect, and the benefits of joining.

• Call to Action: Include a clear call to action, such as a link to an information session or the next meeting’s details.

• Follow-Up: Don’t hesitate to follow up if you don’t hear back. A gentle reminder can often encourage a response.

You can use the sample email template provided as a starting point for your invitations.

Use this email template to invite new members

Connection Cards: All-in-One Tool for Running Meetings

Connection Cards are a versatile tool designed to spark meaningful conversations in your Circle meetings. Here’s how to use them:

• Introduction: Start by introducing the Connection Cards at the beginning of the meeting. Explain their purpose and how they’ll be used during the session.

• Facilitation: Each card contains a prompt or question designed to initiate discussion. Members can take turns drawing cards and answering the prompts, or the leader can choose a card to start a group discussion.

• Building Trust: Connection Cards are particularly useful for building trust and deepening relationships, as they encourage members to share personal experiences and thoughts.

• Flexibility: Use Connection Cards at any point during the meeting to kickstart conversation, break the ice, or refocus the group’s attention.

By integrating Connection Cards into your meetings, you can ensure that discussions are always lively, inclusive, and meaningful.

Learn how to use Connection Cards in your meetings

This comprehensive guide is designed to equip you with all the information you need to lead a successful Lean In Circle. By following these steps and utilizing the resources provided, you can create a supportive, empowering environment where all members thrive. Whether you're starting a Circle, leading discussions, or navigating virtual meetings, this guide has you covered.