In one sense, the evolution of the Circle is unpleasant. Those who have come to depend upon this amiable, supportive, nurturing person are often dismayed and even actively angry over the change in the Circle. However, those who truly return the love of their Circle will understand and even applaud this metamorphosis. Of all the Shapes, the Circle’s evolution is the most painfully dramatic. The strongest Circular trait - the need for people - lessens during evolution. Interestingly, this is the very trait to which the Boxes and Triangles evolve! Circles are best known for their need to please others - to defer to others - to accommodate the needs of others. The evolution of the Circle involves a shift in their giving spirit. The Circle in evolution moves away from pleasing others to pleasing self! This change is often provoked by the Circle’s increasing resentment toward those who take advantage of their kind heart.

As the years pass, the Circle eventually tires of stepping aside to let others go first. They reach a point of high-pitched anger toward a world that demands their social skills but refuses to accept the Circle as a leader. This realization often becomes most clear to Circles who are thrust into a position of leadership. Over the years, they learn that, indeed, you can’t please all of the people all of the time. When they attempt to do so, they suffer from the natural resentment of their subordinates who want the Circle to take a stand, even if it’s an unpopular one. When the Circle does not, an insidious loss of respect develops that the Circle boss must eventually accept. It is often at this point that the Circular metamorphosis will occur. There are three stages in this evolution that simulate the traits of three other Shapes: Stage 1-Squiggle, Stage 2-Box, and Stage 3-Triangle.

Stage 1: The most common first step for the Circle to assume is the Squiggle traits since both Shapes are right-brain dominant. When the Circle discovers that loving and caring for employees only goes so far when they disagree, the Circle may become highly creative in finding solutions to problems. Because they are an excellent communicator, the Circle may adopt the Squiggle’s dramatic, evangelistic techniques in presenting these solutions. They hope to sell a workable compromise to both sides. This approach may work for a while but is rarely long-lasting.

Stage 2: When the Circle discovers that their creative attempts at problem solving aren’t working, they will retreat and take on Box characteristics. Refusing to openly deal with employees and feeling the need to do further research to defend their decisions, the Circle will slip into the cold, aloof, removed posture of the Box leader. Of all the stages, this is the most difficult one for the Circle’s friends to deal with. This is an abrupt change in the affable Circle personality. However, this is an important stage, for when the Circle goes “underground,” they discover their true inner strength. The Circle emerges with less dependence upon others and a sense of self-confidence that was often missing in the past.

Stage 3: When the Circle emerges from the Box stage, the change is much more desirable. Although the Circle is still a Circle (and always has been), there is a strengthening, a new courage. The Circle has found within themselves an inner strength and wisdom to face problems with both sensitivity and rationality. They have shed the need to make the popular decision and replaced it with the wisdom to seek and the courage to make the correct decision. When the transition is complete, the evolved Circle is the best choice for leadership of the four Shapes! They carry the (1) genuine concern for people, (2) wisdom to see the “grays” of a problem, (3) creativity to forge a workable compromise, (4) knowledge of the job, (5) courage to make the tough decision, and (6) ability to communicate and to motivate the people in their best interests.