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Lean In Circles: Leadership Groups for Women

Find your people

Lean In Circles bring women together to build leadership skills, take action toward their goals, and cheer each other on along the way. Research shows that peers can be the most effective mentors — Circle members get promotions and raises at 2x the rate of the general population.

Start a Circle
Three colleagues in a meeting at a dark table with coffee cups and water glasses. A woman holds papers and a pen thoughtfully, while a bald man with glasses smiles beside her, facing a third person seen from behind.
Two women collaborate at a café table with a laptop, a red coffee cup, and plants nearby. One woman wearing glasses and a striped shirt holds a pen, appearing to explain something to her colleague.

What is a Lean In Circle?

A Circle is a small group of peers who meet regularly to connect and learn.

Circles combine research-backed leadership content with structured discussions — so every meeting moves you forward.

Two women collaborate on a laptop in a modern, plant-filled workspace. One wears a pink blazer, the other a black top. A man in blue reads in the background. A tablet and notebook rest on a nearby table.
Three women wearing hijabs gather at a café table with coffee and snacks, looking at a smartphone together, sharing a warm, social moment.

Go further, faster.

You’ll get access to proven leadership lessons and practical activities designed to build your skills and confidence. Your Circle peers will offer accountability and support — 95% of Circle members say their Circle has led to positive changes in their life.

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A young woman with long dark hair, wearing a white sleeveless turtleneck, looks at her smartphone. She has bright green nails, a gold bracelet, and carries a black bag, standing in a modern, well-lit indoor space.
A confident woman in a mint blazer and gold chain necklace sits in a leather chair inside a stylish high-rise lounge with purple velvet sofas and a city skyline visible through large windows.
A smiling blonde woman holds a sleeping baby against her chest while looking at a laptop in a bright, modern café setting.
A smiling woman with dark hair in a patterned blouse sits in an office setting, holding a phone. An older woman with gray hair sits beside her. Both appear engaged in a professional meeting.
Two women sit together in a bright, modern space, engaged in conversation. One smiles warmly while the other holds a laptop. Bags rest nearby, suggesting a casual meeting or mentoring session in an office or campus setting.
Two women laugh together in a bright, modern office. One wears a gray top and trousers; the other wears a green blouse with red braids. A colleague works in the background near large windows and lush plants.
A group of people smiling and laughing during an outdoor gathering, seated at a table with food. A woman in a denim jacket is prominently featured, enjoying the moment with friends or family amid lush greenery.
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Landed a big promotion.

Connect with other women.

Circles are intentionally small to allow for meaningful connections. Members build trust, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Growing as a leader is easier when you do it together.

In the times of AI and rapid transformation, I am convinced that women-led communities are not optional, they are essential infrastructure. They create safer spaces to learn, challenge bias, accelerate confidence and enable women to lead authentically.

Circle member

India

Two smiling professional women stand in a modern office kitchen. One holds a coffee mug, the other a tablet. Both wear blazers and appear engaged in a cheerful conversation amid blue cabinetry and exposed wooden beams.
A diverse group of women laughing and smiling together in a bright indoor setting, conveying warmth and camaraderie. They wear colorful outfits, including a green blazer and a hijab, suggesting a friendly professional or social gathering.
A group of diverse women smiling and engaged in a meeting or workshop, seated around a table with laptops. A woman in a yellow turtleneck and black blazer is prominently featured, looking attentive and cheerful.
A person in a striped shirt holds glasses while speaking earnestly to a colleague across a table in a bright office setting, with a third person and a laptop visible in the background.
Two smiling professional women stand in a modern office kitchen. One holds a coffee mug, the other a tablet. Both wear blazers and appear engaged in a cheerful conversation amid blue cabinetry and exposed wooden beams.
A diverse group of women laughing and smiling together in a bright indoor setting, conveying warmth and camaraderie. They wear colorful outfits, including a green blazer and a hijab, suggesting a friendly professional or social gathering.
A group of diverse women smiling and engaged in a meeting or workshop, seated around a table with laptops. A woman in a yellow turtleneck and black blazer is prominently featured, looking attentive and cheerful.
A person in a striped shirt holds glasses while speaking earnestly to a colleague across a table in a bright office setting, with a third person and a laptop visible in the background.
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Join our global movement.

When you start a Circle, you join a worldwide community. Over 170,000 Circles in 180+ countries are all working to advance women’s leadership.

Circle members can also join a Lean In Network — local or industry-based communities that offer events and learning opportunities in your area.

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Everything you need to lead your Circle.

Leadership materials

Step-by-step meeting guides and our research-backed leadership curriculum.

Exclusive events

Free leadership training, virtual Lean In events, and local Network gatherings.

Early access

Be the first to hear about new programming and research.

Ongoing support

Connect with other Circle Leaders, local Networks, and the Lean In team whenever you need guidance.

Start your Circle

Card list
A person in a white blouse and red pants sits on a green chair, holding a silver laptop open on their lap against a vibrant green background.

Get started online

Create an account and register your Circle to unlock all resources.

Start a Circle
A woman with curly hair sits at a rustic wooden desk, writing in a notebook while referencing a laptop. She's in a cozy stone-walled room with a framed artwork, curtain, and yellow mug nearby.

Attend Circle Leader Training

Join a free virtual session for practical tools and tips.

Sign up
A well-dressed older woman with gray hair and glasses smiles while using her smartphone outdoors, wearing a beige blazer and carrying a brown bag, with a modern glass building in the background.

Invite members

Use customizable templates to invite women you admire and trust.

A group of women gathered around a table in a modern workspace, collaborating over a laptop. Drinks, snacks, a tablet, and notebooks are on the table, suggesting a casual business meeting or brainstorming session.

Host your first meeting

Use our step-by-step agenda and discussion guide.

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Build the habit

Most Circles meet monthly. Block your calendars and choose topics in advance to stay consistent.

A diverse group of people stacking their hands together in a teamwork gesture, wearing colorful bracelets and rings, symbolizing unity and collaboration in an office setting.

Join a Network

Connect with other Circle Leaders and attend Lean In events.

Find a Network

Frequently asked questions about Lean In Circles