---
title: "The Circle of Safety"
description: "How leaders cut the threats people feel from each other so energy goes to outside dangers and opportunities."
canonical: https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/leaders-eat-last/the-circle-of-safety/
updated: 2026-11-03
---

# The Circle of Safety

> How leaders cut the threats people feel from each other so energy goes to outside dangers and opportunities.

Simon Sinek's framework, from Leaders Eat Last, pp. 11 to 94.

Framework 1 of 6 from [Leaders Eat Last](https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/leaders-eat-last/index.md) by Simon Sinek. Category: Offers and pricing.

## The steps

1. **Set entry standards on character.** Decide who belongs by clear human values and fit with the culture, because letting someone in is like adopting a child (p. 33).
2. **Give people belonging and power.** Offer a strong culture, trust, empathy and the power to make decisions so people stop guarding themselves (p. 32).
3. **Extend it to everyone.** Cover every person in the organisation, since weak leaders protect only an inner circle and breed silos and politics (p. 34).
4. **Train layers of leaders to widen the perimeter.** Rely on competent layers of management to look after those in their charge as the organisation grows (p. 33).
5. **Keep it strong from both directions.** Leaders protect their people and members look out for the leader and each other (p. 35).

## Where it comes from

From chapter: THE FORCE, pp. 11–94

## The animation

24 seconds, 4:5, no sound.

- MP4: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/leaders-eat-last/the-circle-of-safety.mp4
- MP4, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/leaders-eat-last/the-circle-of-safety-dark.mp4
- Still: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/leaders-eat-last/the-circle-of-safety.png
- Still, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/leaders-eat-last/the-circle-of-safety-dark.png