What if the Inner Circle is a Hollow Circle?
Once groups reach certain size, an ‘inner circle’ naturally forms. The work becomes too big and those leading seek select counsel. At one organization, we not-so-jokingly called this the ‘boys club.’ The power of those in the inner circle was strong. Promotions and party-planning decisions were to be socialized with a majority of the club. They called it ‘getting the team on board’ but the rest of us were less positive. This formal team was created to provide counsel to the senior-most leader. I’m not sure that’s how it worked in practice; I wasn’t invited.
In my personal life, I’ve followed an organization for a while: consuming its teaching, participating in its events, contributing to its coffers. As I’ve gotten more involved in the ecosystem, certain names appear consistently. This is the inner circle of the leadership. There is nothing formal about their role, yet something very powerful about their influence over the organization.
Some are spoken of with reverence — ‘wow, there she is. I want to be her when I grow up.'
Some are spoken of in hushed tones, as if he or she is untouchable — ‘shhh, she’s the one that the leader listens to.’
Some are spoken of with fear — ‘remember the Joneses? No one does. She buried them.’
Some are spoken of as if their words are gospel — ‘Carol is teaching. Write everything down.’
Some are spoken of as historical figures — ‘Mrs. Jones was here before the organization split.’
I had the opportunity to listen to one of the inner sanctum teach a few weeks ago. My wife elbowed me and said, ‘that’s her.’ I’d never met her in person, so it was good to know that the legend does in fact exist. As her teaching continued, I kept waiting for the wisdom — the source of the well from which the organization ran. I keep waiting and finally realized it wasn’t there.
Admittedly, I had one interaction with her, but it left me to wonder. What was it about this person that was so revered?
Her teaching was good, but didn’t live up to the legend, so it must have been something (or some things) else. But wisdom usually is. Wise people are often not the smartest or the most experienced, yet it’s the combination of experience and knowledge, compounded by the stories they carry. What she carried was not noteworthy, but it was unique and valuable in this context. She had earned her spot in the inner circle because she had 1) history with the leaders 2) held the senior leaders’ stories and 3) had history with the organization. She was committed to the organization, served well and for years, served humbly, spoke gently yet powerfully and did so, even if the lesson fell flat.
The inner circle of this organization may be a hollow circle. But that may be the point — it’s the space that gives senior leaders the opportunity to think and breathe. It’s the void that allows for the work of thinking deeply and breathing in. The inner circle can be hollow if grounded, connected and deep.