A brief introduction to to key concepts in distributed leadership organizations. A frre introductory course is available at https://youtu.be/E4OrEJXuMys

1. Getting started :
Circles, Roles and
Accountabilities

2. Circles are the
building blocks of
the organization
Domain
Purpose
Domain
Purpose
Domain
Purpose
Credit for picture : https://sociocracy30.org/

3. Role ≠ person
One person
Multiple roles
Credit for picture : https://sociocracy30.org/

4. Domain:
Asset or activity owned and controlled by this role.
Example: The domain of "Web site" is in the
Communication Role. This means that any other role
must have the explicit permission of the
Communication Role to impact the Web Site

5. Purpose
Ongoing outcome for the role to achieve.
Exemple for Events: “Promote the recognition of the company by organizing events
that will contribute to its purpose and attract a broad participation within the local
community.”
By definition, the Purpose grants the role the authority to take any action useful to
express it, as long as such action doesn't violate the Domain of another role or circle.

6. Accountabilities
Ongoing activity the organization can expect from this role.
An Accountability grants to the role the authority to take any action useful to express
it, as long as such action doesn't violate the Domain of another role or circle.
However, an Accountability does not limit the authority of OTHER roles.
E.g., an Accountability for "Updating database regularly" does NOT prevent other
roles from updating the database, it only sets an expectation on this role, so that
others can count on it to care for it.

7. Metrics
Metrics are quantitative measures that the role or the circle monitors regularly
to verify that the accountabilities are being satisfactorily fulfilled
In the absence of a superior exercising control, each member of the team must
have a clear vision of where the organization is standing in the achievement of
its objectives. .
For example a sales person will monitor the value of weekly sales, a marketeer
the number of visits to the web site, a doctor the number of patients treated
every month, and so on.
Metrics can be used for setting goals , e.g. : “We want to increase weekly sales
by 50% by the end of the quarter”

8. Structural roles in a circle
● Lead
○ Make effective coaching techniques available to all and transform
the workplace into a source of personal fulfillment
○ Assigning Partners to the Circle’s Roles; monitoring the fit;
○ Allocating the Circle’s resources across its various Projects and/or
Roles
○ Establishing priorities and Strategies for the Circle
○ Defining metrics for the circle
● Facilitator
○ Facilitating the Circle’s meetings and ensure the agreed meeting
procedures are followed
● Secretary
○ Steward and stabilize the Circle’s formal records and
record-keeping process.

9. Your turn
Please fill in the following survey to reflect on
your current
Domains
Purpose
Accountabilities
Metrics