The Model > The Learning Circle

The Learning Circle

The Learning Circle is a management tool used to conduct meetings more productively.
This tool diminishes problems that exist when conducting meetings in the old style:

• sometimes the quietest person has the best suggestions but never speaks up
   
• a few people dominate the meeting time resulting in fewer people contributing to the discussion
   
• people that are not directly involved in the discussion tend to lose interest

Rules of the Learning Circle:

1. Sit in a circle around a table
    
2. Talk about only one specific topic at a time:
• What kind of activities we can do for people who live in our communities?
• What kind of activities can those on the 11pm to 7am shift do?
• What can we do to make Mr. Smith happier?
   
3. Any one can give the first answer then the person sitting next to them (either to the right or the left) gives their answer, then the person next them and so forth until everyone in the circle has provided an answer.
    
4. Everyone must contribute some suggestion when their turn comes - no skipping of people in the circle.
    
5. Each person gives a 5 to 10 second quick, short response.
    
6. No one can repeat a suggestion already given.
    
7. No cross-table talking - everyone must wait their turn.
    
8. The person initiating the question and the person taking minutes for the meeting write down every suggestion.

©  2008  Westminster Communities of Florida