WHAT WE OFFER
Circle provides executive leadership coaching, group facilitation, leadership development and strategic consultancy services to create greater inclusion and equity in the world. Our practice is built around three interconnected elements: diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI); leadership development; and executive leadership coaching.
Diversity Equity and Inclusion
We are committed to creating fairer and more diverse organizations where everyone’s voice matters and everyone feels they belong
Impactful DEI in any organization depends upon ensuring that its systems, processes and practices are regularly and thoroughly examined for equity; ensuring that the lived experiences of all employees is that of feeling valued and included; and having courageous leaders whose interactions with staff, clients and stakeholders are informed by self-awareness, learning, a spirit of inclusivity and action towards greater inclusion. We help our clients with impactful DEI through:
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Equity Coaching - We build leaders’ capacity to use their power to advance equity and inclusion via our 1:1 and small group equity coaching sessions. Equity coaching is a judgement-free, supportive, and real-time opportunity for leaders to unpack their own DEI challenges and blindspots, and learn how to harness their leadership style to advance DEI.
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DEI Training - We work with organizations to build a shared language and understanding of DEI concepts through training. Our training offer is bespoke and is always customized to the specific industry, needs, culture and readiness levels of the organization. A sampling of topics include: implicit bias, microaggressions, inclusive leadership, DEI Committee functioning; and equity in the workplace.
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Diversity Audits/Reviews of Organizational Policies - We conduct diversity audits/reviews of organizational policies guided by the Global Diversity Inclusion and Equity Benchmarks (GDIEB) model, a proven, data-driven framework, to thoroughly examine an organization’s strengths and opportunities and outline gaps in its DEI knowledge, processes, procedures, and practices.
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DEI Action Plans - We partner with organizations to develop DEI Action Plans embedded within the organization’s overall strategic work plans. We help clients develop concrete DEI action plans that create accountabilities and responsibilities across all business lines.
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Global Diversity Inclusion and Equity Benchmarks (GDIEB) model
Those who hold positional power in an organization are critical to transforming and shaping its overall culture. A truly equitable organization that lives its DEI values depends upon having leaders who are trained and grounded in foundational leadership best practices; who understand how identity, power, inclusion, and exclusion affect their organizations, staff, and teams; who are courageous and self-aware; and who lead authentically and comfortably. We offer:
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Cohort Based Programs - Cohort based training gets to the heart of leadership challenges, whilst building a trusted peer community and support network along the way. Participants meet at regular intervals in cohorts to delve into specific leadership topics together. The sessions impart key leadership skills and DEI practices, and provide a confidential shared sounding board to engage with one another and build a trusted community of peers. A sampling of topics include: understanding power dynamics and leadership, strategic decision-making, effective communication and executive presence, and leading with emotional intelligence.
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Accelerating Leaders of Color Leadership Program - There remain significant gaps across all industries and organizations in achieving true diversity in leadership. This program zeroes in on supporting the wellness, growth, advancement, care and sense of community for leaders of color. Topics and themes covered include: navigating unspoken organizational rules around career progression; understanding power dynamics and exercising authentic agency; the realities of assimilation in a majority dominant institution; and wellbeing, resilience, self care and centeredness.
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Board level DEI Strategies - a common challenge facing Boards today is successfully integrating diversity, equity and inclusion into Board operations, developing a DEI centered strategic vision and ensuring sound talent recruitment and management practices. We help Boards identify and implement sound strategies to center DEI in organizational governance and oversight.
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1-1 coaching - Successful professionals at all levels realize that new behaviors are required to effectively navigate the challenges of leadership. Whether the goal is to communicate more effectively, think more strategically, or develop other key leadership competencies and behaviors, we support clients to effectively lead others, be more self aware, and achieve their business goals. Over the course of six months to a year, a trusted partnership evolves, with clear goals and outcomes, in an atmosphere of accountability, confidentiality, transparency and respect. The coach is a trusted ally; offering unbiased perspectives, and designing creative behavioral practices and exercises to help create clarity, confidence, effectiveness and awareness in the client.
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C-team executive group coaching - We coach small groups of friends, relatives, co-workers, or colleagues who want to take a shared journey towards awareness, growth and camaraderie by exploring the issues they decide are most important to them. These could range from holding difficult conversations, tackling thorny race relations, understanding one’s leadership style, exploring shared values and beliefs, strengthening interpersonal relationships, understanding one’s life purpose, or creating deeper bonds of mutual support and trust. Over three to six months, the coach designs bespoke, creative, insightful, and fun exercises for circles of between 3-7 participants, and journeys with them in an atmosphere of trust, intimacy, deep conversation, and joy.
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Equity Coaching - We provide equity coaching to help senior executive leaders become better at championing DEI in their teams by addressing sponsoring and mentoring staff; countering workplace implicit bias and micro-aggressions; and using the model for uncompromising workplace actions and conversations to build a workplace that is just, equitable and inclusive.
Impactful DEI in any organization depends upon ensuring that its systems, processes and practices are regularly and thoroughly examined for bias; authentically valuing diversity and differences as a strength; ensuring that the lived experience of all employees is that of feeling valued and included; and having courageous leaders whose interactions with staff, clients and stakeholders are informed by self-awareness, learning, a spirit of inclusivity and a deep belief in inclusion.
True organizational DEI depends on intentionally and strategically weaving DEI best practices throughout all business lines and internal processes and practices. A fully realized DEI vision, principles, and strategies will incorporate these key principles:
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DEI practices are clearly defined, articulated and enforced in all policies and plans, both externally and internally;
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Equitable access to opportunities for promotion, hiring, growth, and career development are clearly defined, practiced and enforced;
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Individuals, especially leaders, have the skills, awareness and courage to engage inclusively with others;
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There is enduring, ongoing reflection and action to increase DEI, and to decisively root out obstacles and barriers to DEI; and
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There is a learning mindset and a change mindset in the organization; a commitment and desire for ongoing dialogue, learning, evolution and growth.
Leadership Development Program
People aren't born leaders; they need a specific set of skills and capabilities to
learn how to effectively lead others
Executive Leadership Coaching
Meet one-on-one for confidential coaching to become a purposeful and authentic leader.
