ABCD-Training-of-Trainers-Tools-July-2013

2.20. Ripple Effect
(Adapted from Stephen Covey, 1989)
Introduction
This tool is also presented fairly quickly usually as part of the closing session and the tips of taking ABCD
forward in organizations and communities. It was developed by Stephen Covey and encourages
participants to channel their energies on where they have most influence, trusting that their intentions
will have ripple effects, sometimes reaching far wider than they could ever imagine.
Instructions
Draw a small dot on the flipchart representing a stone that is thrown in a river. Ask the group what
generally happens to the water. Draw circles around the stone showing the many ripples that are
created. Some of these ripples might travel for over 2km reaching the river bank on the other side; some
might even reach Cape Town!
On the outside of the circle you can write ‘circle of influence’ – something we all have. Ask the group
where their greatest circle of influence is – who do they have the most influence over. It is ourselves of
course. If I decide to stop eating chocolate or to stop watching television, I can do so straight away if
there is a genuine will.
Out next greatest influence may be our children, our families and colleagues in our organizations. You
can then draw another set of circles using a different colour and write ‘Circle of Concern’. Besides our
circle of influence, we also have a circle of concern – we may be concerned about the behavior of some
politicians and some larger corporations. But we may not have any influence there. We may not know
anyone moving in these circles or have any clout that would be noticed. Instead of focusing our energies
on what we cannot directly influence, we can rather put our energy into our circle of influence and trust
that there are ripple effects that will move out, sometimes much farther than we know. You can draw
arrows from the centre outwards to represent this. Using an example of Nelson Mandela, one can show
how a small rural boy initially did not have much of a circle of influence. Yet he now is known worldwide
(there is even an international Mandela Day) – his effect has spread far and wide beyond what he could
have imagined.
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