08/17/2026
Let's talk about shadow structures in self-management 👻
When introducing sociocracy - or parts thereof - it’s easy to fall into the trap of shadow structures. That’s when we only bring in a surface level of circles and consent but actually still run on the old system - either a hierarchy or a “blob” where everyone needs to be involved in everything.
At this point, we've seen a lot: organizations that have a pretty structure but rely on a shadow structure (aka the founder) to make any financial decisions. Organizations that have clear aims and domains spelled out but bring every decision to every member.
If a change in governance doesn’t lead to a change in behavior, then it’s safe to assume that nothing really changed.
Here are a few test questions on whether your implementation is actually real:
• How often does it happen that someone objects? Is it possible to actually object? Could you even object if the founder/former boss makes a proposal?
• Do you do rounds routinely, or only when you “feel like it” or when you remember?
• Is it really true that decisions are made in circles? Does it happen that circle decisions get some pushback from outside the circle?
• Have leaders ever changed their behavior because of a policy? If decisions don’t actually change behavior, then what’s the point?
• Do people try to vet decisions by the implicit power brokers before bringing them to the circle?
• How often does it happen that a decision is made in an ad hoc group (either to circumvent a circle, or because it’s unclear where that decision could have been made)?
• If you picked one real decision from the last year, would it have gone differently in your "new" system? If you can't name one, you probably haven't changed anything yet - you've changed what you call it.
Read how to implement a real shift in power in the implementation handbook From Here to There and Collective Power :
www.sociocracyforall.org/sociocracy-books .sociocracyforall.org/sociocracy-books
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