Reflect & Close · intermediate · 15 min

Commitment Circle

This method provides a structured opportunity for each team member to publicly commit to specific actions that will support the project's success. This reinforces individual accountability and strengthens the team's collective resolve.

What participants gain

  • Publicly commit to specific actions that will support the project's success.
  • Reinforce individual accountability and responsibility.
  • Strengthen team cohesion and collective resolve.
  • Foster a culture of commitment and follow-through.

Materials needed

  • A comfortable seating arrangement in a circle
  • A talking piece (e.g., a stone, a feather)
  • Whiteboard or flip chart
  • Markers
  • Timer

How to run Commitment Circle, step by step

  1. Introduce the activity and its purpose (5 min).
  2. Explain the concept of a commitment circle and its benefits (2 min).
  3. Instruct participants to individually reflect on their contributions to the project and identify specific actions they can commit to (5 min).
  4. Facilitate a sharing session where each participant states their commitment while holding the talking piece (5 min).
  5. Conclude the activity by summarizing the key commitments and expressing gratitude for everyone's participation (3 min).
  6. Introduce the activity and its purpose.
  7. Explain the concept of a commitment circle and its benefits.
  8. Instruct participants to individually reflect on their contributions to the project and identify specific actions they can commit to.
  9. Facilitate a sharing session where each participant states their commitment while holding the talking piece.
  10. Conclude the activity by summarizing the key commitments and expressing gratitude for everyone's participation.

Facilitator tips

  • Create a safe and supportive environment where participants feel comfortable making public commitments.
  • Encourage participants to make specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) commitments.
  • Emphasize the importance of following through on commitments and holding each other accountable.
  • Celebrate successes and acknowledge the contributions of each team member.
  • Regularly revisit commitments throughout the project lifecycle to ensure they remain relevant and aligned with evolving goals.

Common challenges

  • Participants struggle to make specific commitments - Provide examples of actionable commitments and guiding questions to stimulate their thinking.
  • Some participants dominate the discussion - Use a talking piece or round-robin approach to ensure everyone has a chance to share.
  • The commitments are not followed through on - Regularly remind team members of their commitments and encourage them to hold each other accountable.
  • Participants disengage due to lack of interest - Connect the activity to their personal goals and highlight the potential benefits of the project.

Running it virtually

Adaptable to Zoom. Create a virtual circle where participants can share their commitments verbally or in the chat window, using the chat to affirm each other's commitments.

Expected results

A set of public commitments from each team member, reinforcing individual accountability and strengthening the team's collective resolve.

Build a session around Commitment Circle

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