Going in circles is a symptom of misalignment. And below are some reasons why it happens.
Problem misalignment: everyone brings different issues, and nobody agrees with each other.
Experience misalignment: our experience informs our reality. With different experiences, we form different beliefs and opinions.
Knowledge misalignment: how we interpret information can make us either change our minds or reinforce existing beliefs and double down on what we already think.
Emotional misalignment: feeling not being heard. When people don’t feel that their points land, repeating what they said feels like the only option.
Position misalignment: instead of working together to resolve the real problem, the togetherness has turned into a competition. Compromise becomes a loss. Fixing the position becomes a win.
Outcome misalignment: neither side can articulate what the outcome looks like and how it benefits or hurts either side.
Power dynamic misalignment: people with more power (decision-makers) are responsible for spending time and effort figuring out what to do to break the pattern. When the leaders stop trying, issues remain unresolved.
Going in circles isn’t a problem. Being unable to disrupt it costs everyone.
