Leadership Training: The "Circle Jerk"

Team building is a critical component to any organization. Whether you are managing volunteers or W2 employees, your organization has spent a tidy sum in time and money finding and hiring them. Now it's up to you, their leader and mentor, to motivate and encourage them in a positive and effective way.

These team members all have locked inside of them valuable and often times brilliant ideas and information that could change the shape and trajectory of your company. Unfortunately, many leaders leave that potential bottled up inside their employees, and watch them walk out the door to another organization.

How's Your Eco System? 

When two or more are gathered together in any organization, you will have desperate levels of experience, opposing opinions, different personality profiles, and of course, egos of all sizes and shapes. One of the conditions that can restrict this flow of information and insight is strife. Often organizations are plagued with back biting, innuendo and a basic lack of respect for individuals AND sometimes the company itself. This condition can be changed to dramatically improve morale and productivity.

So How Do You Change Attitudes?

You have to remember that your employees are people with feelings, dreams and desires. They want to "feel" safe and have their opinions valued. Loyalty and trust are a two way street. If you show yourself to be loyal, trustworthy and honest, you will reap better results. Honest and open communication is the key.

A method that I have used in the past is called the "Circle Jerk". I borrowed this concept from my time in college as a Delta Chi at Cal State Fullerton. This a technique used to draw out both an attitude of unconditional surrender to the team in a safe non judgmental environment where there is complete confidentiality.

Here's how it works. Buy yourself a track and field baton. Arrange your group into a circle being careful to place those employees with issues on opposite sides of the circle so they can see each other. The leader starts with the baton and runs the session. The ground rules are laid out:

1. This room represents an impenetrable barrier to the outside world.
2. While in this room, and during these sessions, no one has a position of authority, a title or any other responsibilities except to be there for the members in the room. 
3. The identity of the members in the room, the time and location of the session is completely confidential - even to spouses or significant others AND certainly any other employees. What is said in the room is completely confidential. Violators of this secrecy policy are subject to immediate termination. That especially applies to the leader who will most likely be a manager. No exceptions, or you will destroy your relationships. 
4. The only person allowed to speak is the person holding the baton - NO EXCEPTIONS

The leader will announce the topic for the discussion, then begin with their input. Once the leader finishes, they will pass the baton to the person on their LEFT. Why left? It's symbolic of the fact that that direction is on the side of your chest where you heart is, and that is what you are supposed to be sharing - your true feelings about the subject - period. NO AGENDAS. The baton is passed to the next person and each takes a turn. 

Be prepared for amazing breakthroughs! The reason it's called the "Circle Jerk" is because it jerks or draws out the underlying issues that are impacting your productivity. Expect that some sessions will get emotional. Have tissue ready. They are supposed to be emotional. You want anyone in the room to feel safe and comfortable expressing themselves. The group needs to be prepared to comfort and support each member, including the leader. 

Once you apply this principle, you will begin to see attitude and performance improvements. And, as a leader, you will have a better appreciation and compassion for your employees. This method can be used for brainstorming potential solutions to challenges in sales, marketing or any other area of your company. In the "bubble", there are no stupid ideas, and everyone is a brilliant member of the team. All egos are checked at the door.