Why Women Thrive in Circles, Not Ladders

For generations, women have been told that success is about climbing the ladder. One rung at a time, the message goes, until you reach the top. The image is neat and linear: there’s only one way up, space is limited, and if someone else is ahead of you, you’re left waiting your turn. The ladder model thrives on competition, comparison, and scarcity.

But here’s the truth: women don’t thrive in ladders—we thrive in circles. Circles are expansive, collaborative, and rooted in connection. They are spaces where every voice matters, where support replaces rivalry, and where growth doesn’t mean stepping on someone else’s shoulders but linking arms to rise together. At Dare On, we believe circles are the future of women’s success, and this shift has the power to transform not only individual lives but entire communities.

The Problem with Ladders

The ladder framework is built on hierarchy. One person climbs higher while another stays below, waiting for an opportunity to move. For women, especially in male-dominated industries, the ladder often comes with additional challenges: fewer rungs available, invisible barriers, and the pressure to prove yourself over and over again.

Ladders can also create isolation. When you’re taught that there’s only room for a few at the top, you may feel hesitant to share resources or lend support to others for fear it will slow your own progress. Instead of community, ladders breed competition, and instead of empowerment, they reinforce scarcity.

For women who are natural collaborators, this system can feel stifling. It doesn’t reflect the way we build relationships, nurture connections, or lead from a place of empathy and inclusivity.

The Power of Circles

Circles tell a different story. In a circle, no one is above or below. Everyone has a seat, and every seat matters. Circles expand as more women join, creating a ripple effect of encouragement, accountability, and shared wisdom.

When women gather in circles—whether in small groups, professional communities, or intentional spaces like the Dare On community—the energy shifts. Instead of competing for visibility, we amplify each other’s voices. Instead of protecting limited opportunities, we open new doors together. Instead of climbing alone, we walk forward side by side.

Circles thrive because they are rooted in abundance. Your growth doesn’t threaten mine—it enhances it. Your success doesn’t diminish my potential—it expands it. Together, we become more than the sum of our individual parts.

What Happens When Women Connect

The research backs this up. Studies show that women who have strong peer networks advance further and faster than those who try to navigate careers in isolation. These connections provide not just opportunities but resilience. When you face challenges, the circle becomes a place to process, gain perspective, and find solutions.

On a deeper level, circles meet the human need for belonging. Women often carry the weight of multiple roles—professional, caregiver, partner, friend. In the busyness of it all, circles become sanctuaries where you can show up as your full self. No masks, no competition, just authentic connection. And from that place of authenticity, courage flourishes.

Redefining Leadership Through Circles

Leadership has long been defined by the ladder: reaching the top, gaining authority, commanding from above. But what if leadership looked more like a circle? Shared influence. Collaborative decision-making. Empowering others to step forward.

When women embrace circle leadership, we challenge the old model of power. We prove that strong leadership doesn’t require hierarchy or competition—it requires connection, vision, and the courage to lead with empathy. This shift not only changes the experience of leadership for women, it changes outcomes. Teams led by collaborative leaders are more engaged, more innovative, and more resilient.

Everyday Circles

Circles aren’t only found in boardrooms or leadership settings. They can happen around kitchen tables, in coffee shops, or during a walk with a trusted friend. Whenever women gather to encourage, challenge, and lift one another, a circle is formed.

These circles may feel simple, but they are powerful. They remind us that we are not alone. They challenge us to dream bigger. They give us the courage to say yes to opportunities we might otherwise doubt. And perhaps most importantly, they create ripple effects—when you are supported, you’re more likely to support others, creating a chain reaction of empowerment.

Building Your Circle

If you’ve been living in a ladder mindset, the idea of a circle might feel new. Start by asking yourself who in your life makes you feel stronger, braver, and more seen. These are the people who belong in your circle. From there, look for opportunities to expand. Attend events where like-minded women gather. Join groups where authenticity is valued over competition. Be willing to both give and receive support, because circles are reciprocal by nature.

At Dare On, community is at the heart of everything we do. Inside the Dare On community, women come together as a circle—learning, growing, and supporting each other. Whether you’re building confidence, clarifying your purpose, or preparing to take bold action, being surrounded by a circle changes everything.

Thriving Together

The shift from ladders to circles is more than a mindset—it’s a movement. When women stop competing for a limited number of spots and start creating new opportunities together, we redefine what success looks like. We prove that there is room for every voice, every dream, and every level of leadership.

Thriving in circles doesn’t mean you’ll never pursue individual goals. It means you’ll pursue them with a community at your back, cheering you on, holding you accountable, and reminding you of your strength when you forget. That kind of support doesn’t just change outcomes—it changes lives.

The Dare On® Community

At Dare On, we believe every woman deserves a circle. Our mission is to create spaces where women can quiet self-doubt, find their braver voice, and step boldly into their purpose. Through coaching, events, and collaborative programs, we help women build circles that sustain growth, amplify courage, and multiply impact.

The ladder may still exist, but you don’t have to climb it alone. You can step into a circle and discover a different way forward—one that’s abundant, empowering, and aligned with who you truly are.

Ready to Step Into Your Circle?

If you’ve been feeling the weight of comparison or the isolation of trying to climb alone, now is the time to choose differently. Reach out. Find your people. Say yes to the spaces where women are gathering, encouraging, and rising together.

Because when women gather in circles, we don’t just climb—we thrive.