WOL Career & Life: A new name for the original WOL Circle method

In the beginning, I never imagined there would be more than one Working Out Loud® method. The whole point was building networks through purposeful contributions. That, I thought, was it.

But over the years it became clear that what people really valued—what transformed them in some cases—was the Circle.

It was the opportunity to experience humans at their best: listening and caring, offering support and encouragement, sharing resources. And to cultivate something more subtle: a sense of both self-determination and connection.

There are now eight methods that use a similar Circle format: Small peer groups. Individual goals. Step-by-step practice and progress over time.

• WOL Career & Life

• WOL Resilience

• WOL for Teams

• #FrauenStärken powered by WOL

• More Good Days (for workers in operational roles)

• WOL Healthcare

• WOL for Leaders

• WOL Strengths (for bringing your CliftonStrengths to life)

We found ourselves referring to the first method as “WOL Classic” or “The Original Method,” and that started to feel silly.

So a new name felt necessary.

I drew inspiration from the subtitle of the first edition of the book: “For a Better Career & Life.” It captures what I was trying to create.

When I started WOL, I wanted to offer people a structured way to explore their next step in work and life; to build positive, authentic relationships that could help them make the most of all they have to offer.

Now, each of the WOL methods continues to evolve. (I’m working on Version 10 of the original method now.) And there are new ones in various stages of development.

If you’re looking for what’s next for you, I hope you’ll try WOL Career & Life.