Shapes, Space & Sway
Cormac introduced the concept of community being circles, and institutions taking the form of triangles. I’d like to expand upon these shapes with this meditation, based on observations over our time in community.
I’ve noticed that there are perhaps 7 basic shapes at play in community. Of these, I discern that they may be categorised into 3 types. The first comprises 3 shapes of being. Each presents different strengths, shadows, space and sway. The second consist of two shapes of relating. The final two are shapes of doing. Allow me to expand upon them below.
SHAPES OF BEING
These mainly illustrate the three main groups that we may encounter in community.
🍙Triangles
Institutions are the quintessential triangles with their organising structure, hierarchy and power dynamics.
Strengths
They provide order, efficiency and represent an important fount of secondary* or tertiary assets^ that could boost community efforts.
Shadows
Decisions (from asset accessiblity to allocation and more) are made by an apical few. As stable structures, triangles resist change and movement is often slow.
Space
Triangles stack neatly into squares and rectangles. Once established, however, triangles could crowd out community (circles, and other shapes).
Sway
Triangles predominantly operate with the power-over, and may struggle with shared power concepts, such as power-to, power-with or power-by community
** Secondary assets - assets that are place-based but inacessible to community*
^ Tertiary assets - assets that are not found in, nor accessible by, community
🏀 Circles
Circles represent community, inclusiveness and holism.
Strengths
There are no corners, no edges and no hierarchy. Everyone has an important role and gift to bring. Ownership is shared (so long as we step into the circle)
Shadows
Due to distributed decision-making and action-taking, movement can be organic, slow, or unwieldy (but once every part of the circle moves - like a wheel - things can roll and gain momentum). Circles by definition are closed; they also present a margin and a core. Thus, to some extent, circles also run the risk of possibly becoming exclusive spaces or unwelcoming to new comers.
Space
Circles, whilst occupying space, leaves space and creates opportunities for other shapes, in a complementary manner (imagine a circle with four triangles in the corners)
Sway
Power is distributed (in a truly / ideally circular community) in a power-with and power-by space. It generally takes the form of influence. Relationships are the driving capital. **
🛑 Octagons
Fourth sector actors, such as enlightened philanthropic organisations, are triangles that try to engage like circles.
Strengths
Combining the best of circles and triangles, true Octogons can unlock access to different secondary and tertiary capital forms, yet are mindful to foreground, and cede space to communities.
Shadows
It’s hard to hold the pull between triangularity and circularity, so even while octagons try to foreground and facilitate community, they might still operate from a pyramidal mindset and end up hindering community.
Space
If Octogons slip into triangular mode, they might crowd out circles with their angles and fill space.
Sway
It really depends on the mindset of the Octogon. If they lean more octagonal than triangular, then the power dynamics would more resemble those of circles. The opposite equally holds true. I’m also cognisant that most Octogons may still function like Triangles internally.
SHAPES OF RELATING
These primarily describe how active individuals in communities relate to their neighbours.
🍦 Cones
Cones are community members who readily step up and take it upon themselves to fulfil community functions. They find identity and purpose in service of others, but may often go at it alone.
Strengths
With acts of service being their preferred language of connection, Cones may be a one-person driver of community change and function. They will ceaselessly care for their community, regardless of formal recognition of their efforts.
Shadows
Owing to their narrow base and broad top, Cones lack stability over time. Imagine what happens when these dedicated community carers fall ill over a sustained period. Cones may also become funnels when they insist on operating alone (or only with a select few). This not only locates them in the doing-for space, but may even turn the giving into gatekeeping.
🌙 Crescents
This is the shape of community connectors. They cradle, but go beyond to connect and bridge.
Strengths
Similar to Cones, Crescents care for their community through various means, perhaps even using multiple languages of connection. Unlike Cones, however, Crescents include others to partcipate in their circle of care. They also naturally unite different groups of people, intermediate the different shapes in community.
Shadows
Not so much a shadow per se, but connectors can be in high demand, especially by Triangles. When Triangles or Octogons, whether desiring speed or scale try to co-opt Crescents, this hamstrings them and they lose that special quality
SHAPES OF DOING
This is about the effects arising from the actions of the primary shapes (Triangles, Circles and Octagons☝🏽).
🗳️ Squares
Squares depict the regulatory, administrative or policy box by which Triangles operate and may impose on other community shapes. Stack two triangles up and we get a square / rectangle. The size of the square corresponds directly to the power of the Triangle that influences it
Strengths
Squares (or rectangles) provide order, organisation and structure. These usually stem from a precautionary approach and exist for the safety and plurality of community and other stakeholders.
Shadows
The same strength can also become restrictive, boxing in initiative, ownership, creativity and more from community. The size and reach of the square also influences the space occupied by Octogons.
🍥 Spirals
If Squares are associated with Triangles, then Spirals manifest when Circles are fully circular and engage in a continual process of welcoming, being, and learning together. It’s the shape of collective becoming and virtuous cycles.
Strengths
Spirals exhibit dynamism, adaptability and resilience. It suggests recycling, reflecting and returning. The openness provides access to the core but also the margins. It implies expansion and possibilities
Shadows
Spirals can go up, but also down. When Circles break down, the spiral can also turn inward and result in negative cycles.
💭 Reflections / Application:
It’s easy to swing to polemics. So lest we conclude that this is about de-institutionalising, I’d like to highlight that institutions are a form of community asset. And for every community shape, there is both strengths and shadows. Thus, this meditation calls us to consider not what is the right / wrong shape(s), but to ponder:
Which shapes are leading?
What are their sizes?
What shapes might we need more of?
When is each shape better able to contribute towards nurturing or restoring greater community functions and ownership?
