(Berrett-Koehler: San Francisco) -- The Circle Way: A Leader in Every Chair (Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2010) is an authoritative and accessible guide to "circle"—a foundational form of collaborative decision making. Written by two pioneers in reviving, standardizing, and popularizing the circle process, Christina Baldwin and Ann Linnea use images, stories, and step-by-step instructions to teach the basics of circle and explore its deeper meanings.

Organizations are increasingly looking for alternatives to rigid, top-down hierarchy. Even the most old-school now realize that good ideas can come from anywhere and that fostering collaboration and group cohesion is vital to any healthy enterprise. But what approach can best create an environment that ensures clear speaking, compassionate listening, and the making of well-grounded decisions? The most ancient one: the circle.

The circle was the form of original gathering that taught human beings how to create social patterns. All modern group processes open to collaboration or to flattening the hierarchy are based in some way on circle practices. Here, two veteran practitioners offer a comprehensive guide to this foundational form of human interaction.

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