How a circle is held
- A small group seated so everyone can see everyone
- One person speaks at a time, for as long as they need
- Listeners do not interrupt, advise or compare
- A facilitator holds the time and the tone
Why no advice?
Advice is often a way of ending discomfort, ours or theirs. Being heard without being fixed is rarer than it sounds, and it lets people hear themselves.
Why it matters for accomplished people
Successful people are often the ones others come to for answers. Few places let them be unsure out loud. A circle makes uncertainty ordinary, and discovering that your private predicament is a common one can lift a great deal of weight.
Confidentiality
What is shared in the circle remains in the circle. This shared covenant is honoured by every participant, and it is what lets the circle be honest.
If you do not want to speak
You decide how much you say. Listening is taking part. Most people say more than they expected once the room feels trustworthy.
How much of the retreat it fills
Peer circles and dialogue are about 20–25% of the programme.
Last updated 25 October 2026.
