Reader situation
You want to start a Circle, or you host one that has lost momentum. Many Circles begin with a broad topic, such as “Marketing” or “Leadership,” and then struggle because members aren’t sure what to post or why they belong.
Central idea
A circle needs a clear purpose so people understand why they belong and what they can contribute. Define the shared interest or challenge, the intended members and the kinds of conversations that make participation worthwhile.
Practical steps
- Shared interest or purpose. Write one sentence that describes what members have in common and what the Circle helps them do. A purpose built around a shared challenge, such as “leading a team through a first reorganization,” usually sustains more useful discussion than a topic alone. If you can’t write the sentence, the Circle may not be ready to launch.
- Intended members. Describe who the Circle is for: their roles, stage or situation. Being specific doesn’t mean excluding people unkindly. It helps the right people recognize that the Circle is for them, and helps others decide quickly that it isn’t.
- Useful conversations. List three kinds of conversation you hope to see, for example comparing approaches, asking for input on a decision or sharing a lesson. This list helps you write prompts and helps members see what a good post looks like.
- Boundaries. Decide what doesn’t belong. Common examples include job postings, promotion and topics covered better elsewhere. Clear boundaries make moderation easier and protect members’ time.
- First contribution. Decide what you’ll post first. A good first post models the kind of conversation you want, such as a real question from your own work, and invites members to respond.
Worked example
Fictional example
Amir wants to start a Circle called “Data Leaders.” Working through the steps, he narrows it:
Purpose: For people leading their organization’s first data team, to compare how they set priorities, hire and earn trust from other leaders.
Intended members: Heads of data or analytics in organizations building the function for the first time.
Useful conversations: first hires, choosing tools on a small budget, presenting data work to executives.
Boundaries: no vendor promotion or job postings.
First contribution: “What was the first project you chose to show value, and why that one?”
The narrower purpose may attract fewer members, but each one has a clear reason to take part. It also makes Amir’s job as host easier, because he can tell quickly whether a new post fits.
Boundaries
- A purpose can change as the Circle grows. Review it with members after a few months.
- A narrow purpose isn’t a rule against all other topics. Use judgment when useful conversations fall slightly outside it.
One action to try with a professional peer
Write a one-sentence purpose for a Circle you host or want to start. Ask a peer who might join whether it tells them why they would belong.
Discussion prompt
What’s the most useful group you belong to, and how would you describe its purpose in one sentence?
