The Rules of Engagement

Sociocracy is effective. It works. And the reason it works is because it has a clear set of rules that make sense to people. These rules were not drafted at random. They were carefully crafted to be in line with the laws of Nature.

The four Rules of Sociocracy are as follow (as taken from sociocracy.fr):

1. The Circle
The Circle is the basic unit in a system. It is formed to perform specific duties that have been clearly identified. It is a sub-system of the organization and is in charge of establishing its own rules of functioning. It operates under the rules of Consent Decision-making and is responsible for self-regulating its processes. That being said, no circle operates independently from the rest of the organization. All decisions are made while considering higher circles (as represented by the circle manager) and lower ones (as represented by the double-link). Managers bring a macro-vision of the organization and its environment; double-links bring a more micro-vision. Together, they offer as complete a vision as possible.

2. The Double-Link
A circle is connected to the circle above it in two ways: the unit manager, and the elected representative. Both persons will sit at the higher circle for all policy-related decisions. The circle is also connected to the lower circle in two ways: the manager of the lower circle sits in along with an elected representative from that lower circle. As illustrated on the org chart on the right, each unit is part of a greater whole. In a typical organization, only each unit's manager sits on the higher unit table. In a Sociocratic organization, the manager is accompanied by the elected rep. That rep participates in the higher circle's decisions in the same capacity as all the other members of that circle.

3. Decision-Making by Consent
Consent refers to the absence of a Paramount (reasoned) Objection. As such, no policy decisions can be made if anyone in the circle has a well-reasoned objection to it. When objections are raised, the group takes on the task of working creatively to address the objection and integrate solutions into an amended proposal. When all objections are gone, the proposal is accepted.

4. Elections by Consent
Sociocratic elections are fun and empowering. Each circle member writes down the name of his/her candidate (it can be oneself) as well as his/her own name on an election ballot. The circle facilitator then proceeds to reveal each nomination out loud, and asks each proposer to voice the reasons of his/her nomination. Once all the ballots and arguments have been openly disclosed, the facilitator proceeds to ask each circle member whether, after having heard all the arguments around the table, they want to change their vote to a different candidate. Once that is done, the facilitator (or a circle member) proceeds to make a formal proposal for one candidate. Objections are sought, and once no objections are left, the nomination is carried through and the nominated is elected.
This process leads to the strenghtening of teams. It builds up trust, creativity, accountability, and openness. I have seen new circles run through elections like a butter goes through warm butter, and I have witnessed other circles get completely stuck over an election, requiring an extra meeting to get through it. In any of these situations, all teams have come out stronger.


When followed, the rules of Dynamic Governance (Sociocracy) enable teams to work more effectively, more efficiently, and much, much more creatively. Each and every single time I have attended and participated in a DG meeting (and there have been many as I am supporting the implementation experiment at the College), I have come out impressed, touched, humbled, and more confident in the process.