Frequently Asked Questions
Voice & Influence™ Circles FAQ
With the Voice & Influence™ Program we are aiming to extend the Circles movement from Lean In to create a Stanford specific experience. According to the Lean In website, “Circles are small peer groups that meet regularly to learn and share together — studies show we achieve more in groups than we do as individuals.”
Stanford is following a model of monthly roundtable discussions centered on women’s leadership curriculum developed by Clayman. While the content is set by the program, Circle leaders and participants are able to exercise freedom in selecting time, location, and other logistics that meet the needs of their participants.
We are currently recruiting leaders for the next phase of the program. Given that these are small peer groups discussing personal and pragmatic topics, leaders largely prefer to recruit their own members, rather than have us match them with interested participants. As such, we recruit the leaders and they in turn recruit participants by themselves.
Circle leaders help keep things organized and make sure your Circle conversations are productive. We recommend two leaders (or co-leaders) for an impactful Circle. Some groups split up the duties so that there’s one person to manage schedules, keep time and make sure Circle members come prepared, and the other person facilitates discussions and leads their Circle through each session. Other groups equally share responsibilities between the two leaders.
We are looking for 25-30 pairs of women to serve as Circle co-leaders. Interested applicants may already have a co-leader in mind or they can apply as individuals and we will work with them to create a partnership with another leader. We are looking for a broad representation from across the campus that includes a diverse group from many different schools, units and departments.
The ideal Circle leader will meet these qualifications:
- Any level or stage of their career; worked at Stanford for at least one year
- Have documented job performance that is fully satisfactory or higher
- Others recognize them as a leader; they inspire others
- Follow through on their commitments
- Open-minded; create inclusive environments
In order to lead a productive and impactful Circle, leaders should embody the following characteristics:
- Display a willingness to be open with their Circle and share their own stories
- Be organized and detail oriented
- Remain committed to their Circle throughout the duration of the program
The applications will be reviewed by the Voice & Influence Steering Committee. We will gather submissions and get back to applicants. Once Circle leaders are confirmed we will provide them with additional information and the necessary resources.
Circle leaders will be provided with ample resources to help assist them including the following:
- Kick-Off Training – Circle leader raining by leading experts
- Monthly Check-Ins and Access to Experts – Experts in gender research and group dynamics will lead monthly meetings designed to help you be as comfortable and effective as possible when facilitating your Circle meetings
- Learnings from the Voice & Influence Alumnae – Throughout the program we will ensure that the best practices gleaned from those who have already participated in the Voice & Influence™ Circle program are integrated into the training and shared with current program participants
- Peer Support – Engagement with the past and present Voice & Influence co-leaders for touch-base calls, and support
Circle leaders will need to commit to the following responsibilities in order to ensure the success of their Circle:
- Agree on a co-leader model (e.g., recruit a peer with whom you would like to lead a Circle or agree to be paired by the program coordinators)
- Participate in kick-off training, monthly check ins and content meetings
- Recruit Circle participants within the guidelines that will be provided at the training session (optimal Circle size is 6-8 participants)
- Hold at least six (preferably more) Circles during the designated time period
- Participate in the research process and encourage their Circle members to participate as appropriate
The kick-off training is designed to provide Circle leaders with the necessary background and preparation for leading a Circle, while also providing a unique leadership development opportunity. Training content includes:
- Introduction to the Voice & Influence™ Program
- Gender 101 content developed by Clayman researchers
- Team dynamics training
- Best practice sharing by previous Circle participants and sharing of pilot program research results
- Logistical support to ensure successful Circle launch
- Opportunity to practice relevant skills and prepare for initial meeting
- Time to connect and meet fellow Circle leaders
- Circle leaders - Real-time training on team leadership, meeting management, conversation facilitation, and mastering the challenges that may present themselves in a supportive framework which will enhance their own leadership skill portfolio and develop their interpersonal networks across campus.
“Participating in this program has been one of the highlights of my professional year.” – Circle co-leader
- Circle participants – Participation in guided discussions with educational content that will provide validation of their experiences and insights and support for defining their own unique steps forward. Discussion topics will include Power & Influence, Negotiation, Creating a Level Playing Field, and more.
“I feel like just being exposed to these topics, watching the videos, and having discussions about them and thinking about how to communicate around them has been really helpful.” – Circle participant
- All – Inspiration and guidance from the broader Lean In Circles movement.
This program is ideal for graduates of other professional development opportunities, such as Manager Academy and others, as it provides concrete and practical ways to discuss and try out different strategies related to gender issues in the workplace and gaining leadership skills.
“This is different than previous leadership programs, since it's a shared experience and not a classroom experience. The videos were very relevant, and the Circles seemed to have more real-time impact versus theoretical impact.” - Circle leader
We recommend that Circle leaders notify their supervisors that they are participating in this program. Once confirmed as a Circle leader, you will need to coordinate your time and workload with your supervisor to ensure your participation.
We are conducting research designed to better understand how cohort learning shapes engagement with the curriculum. For Circle leaders, this will involve the completion of surveys throughout the program and, for a small subset of leaders, occasional interviews and Circle observations. Circle leaders will be provided with an overview of the research study and consent forms at the initial Kick-Off Training meeting.
