CircleBridge bookBegin within; practice together
The chapter explains why a toolbox of communication techniques can remain superficial when people have not examined the stories and assumptions behind their behavior. It introduces the IDI profile and the authors’ storytelling debrief process. It also describes the third thing and a movement from individual reflection into pairs or small groups and then the whole circle. The sequence protects room for personal meaning before public speech. Sitting in a circle alone does not establish the specific conditions of a Circle of Trust©.
A practice to try
Choose a short shared text. Invite five minutes of private reflection, then optional sharing in pairs. Return to the larger group for insights participants choose to share. State the listening agreements and the right to pass at the beginning.
School or classroom
Let students write or think before discussing a shared story; keep private reflection distinct from graded participation.
University or college
Give seminar participants time to interpret a shared text through their own experience before a scholarly discussion.
Organization or community
Separate a reflective opening from the decision-making portion of a meeting, with a clear transition.
Reflection questions from the book
Personal Inner Work and Reflection
The chapter emphasizes the importance of starting at the center with self-reflection. Reflect on a time when personal introspection led to a better understanding of your interactions with others. What did you uncover about yourself, and how did it impact your relationships?
The Intercultural Development Continuum© (IDC)
The IDC framework describes orientations ranging from Denial to Adaptation. Reflect on where you see yourself along this continuum in your personal or professional interactions. How do your perceived orientation and developmental orientation align or differ?
The Role of Trust in Collaboration
The chapter discusses how storytelling and vulnerability in one-on-one IDI debriefs build trust. Reflect on a time when vulnerability played a role in establishing trust within a group. What conditions made that trust possible, and how did it impact the group dynamic?
Applying the Touchstones©
The Courage & Renewal Touchstones© provide a framework for creating a safe and trustworthy space. Choose one Touchstone that resonates with you (e.g., “No fixing, saving, advising, or correcting each other”) and describe how you could apply it in your current interactions. What challenges might arise, and how would you address them?
Companion guidance by Scott Simpson and Sharla Steever. Consult the book alongside these resources; activities and summaries do not replace the complete book.