About this Chapter The Department of Defense is committed to recruiting and retaining the very best of the Nation's talent and values the strengths inherent in its diverse workforce. To better leverage those strengths, the Department should offer support structures to encourage diverse leadership. To that end, the DoD is partnering with Leanln.Org to launch Lean In Circles throughout the department, all military branches, and the United States Coast Guard, as of September 21, 2015. Leanln.Org is the nonprofit organization founded by Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg to empower all women to achieve their ambitions. Lean In Circles are small peer groups who meet regularly to learn and grow together. Female service members who participate in Lean In Circles feel more connected to the women and men in their units and are more comfortable talking openly about gender issues in the military. Lean In Circles will enable both female and male service members and DoD civilians to come together to share experiences and advice on overcoming challenges in the military and the Department, and create a safe and confidential place to discuss gender issues. Thirty years of social science research has shown that people learn and accomplish more in groups, making Lean In Circles a fit for our military model of teamwork. Lean In Circles are allowed to meet monthly, for a reasonable duration before, after or during work hours, and to make reasonable use of DoD spaces such as conference rooms, meeting areas, and break rooms. I encourage service members and civilian employees to participate in these peer mentoring relationships and believe that doing so will improve the retention of women and support them in their career development and growth. To start a Circle, click "Start a Circle in this Chapter" below. You can also request to join any existing Circle in our Chapter. Lean In Circles Fact Sheet: defense.gov/Portals/1/Documents/pubs/Lean_In_Circles_Fact_SheetFINAL.pdf
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Circles are small groups of women who come together—online or offline—for real talk and peer support.
We all need a safe space for real talk, inspiration, and support. Right now, we need community more than ever.