Sujata Tejwani on Creating Your Circle of Trust
Sujata Tejwani is Founder and President of Sujata Strategies, which offers leadership, strategy, coaching, and training development services across progressive movements. She is especially committed to supporting new and rising leaders—particularly women and people of color—helping them step into power with clarity and care, and has trained more than 10,000 candidates, organizers, and staff across the U.S. and around the world. She is a first-generation Indian-American, born and raised in Memphis, TN.
In 2024, Sujata collaborated with Women’s Democracy Lab to create safety strategies tailored especially for the unique risks faced by elected officials, particularly women of color. Below is an activity from Sujata’s intensive safety planning workshops, offered exclusively to WDL community members.
This activity will help you identify and cultivate your Circle of Trust, an essential support system for personal and professional resilience, especially in political and leadership roles. It includes an overview of key roles within the Circle of Trust and key characteristics you should be looking for.
A note from Sujata: Complete this exercise once you decide to run for office to build a foundational support network that will help you navigate the challenges of campaigning. Revisit and update this list after you win to refresh your Circle of Trust, reflect on evolving relationships, and filter as needed to adapt to new roles, responsibilities, and dynamics.
What is the Circle of Trust?
These are the individuals you can rely on during times of crisis, both personally and professionally. They are also key to implementing and assessing your safety plan, mental wellness practices, and de-escalation literacy.
Circle of Trust Roles
There are four distinct roles within your Circle of Trust: Allies, other Elected Officials, Staff, and Empathy Partners. They fulfill slightly different needs but are all equally important components of your support system.
Allies: Allies are individuals who support your mission and advocate for you and your causes, even when it’s inconvenient or risky for them. Allies provide strategic backing, use their influence to open doors, and help you navigate challenging environments.
Fellow Elected Officials: These are colleagues (or future colleagues) who understand the unique challenges of public service. They share insights on navigating political landscapes, offer strategic advice, and collaborate on shared goals. They provide solidarity, especially in politically sensitive situations, and help you maintain resilience.
Staff: Staffers are trusted team members (they could also be volunteer team leaders) who contribute to your success by managing day-to-day tasks and helping you navigate complex scenarios. They anticipate challenges, provide strategic advice, and uphold confidentiality. They serve as your front-line defense, ensuring you’re informed and prepared.
Empathy Partners: Empathy partners are trusted individuals who listen without judgement and offer emotional support. They help you process experiences constructively, providing a safe space for vulnerability without fear of political consequences. They’re your emotional anchor, ensuring you remain grounded and resilient.
Key characteristics
Look for the following characteristics when identifying those within your Circle of Trust:
They know you. They understand who you truly are, including your values, motivations, personal background, and experiences They are aware of your aspirations and challenges.
They respect you. They honor and/or align with your values, political goals, boundaries, decisions, and individuality. They respect the communities you represent and serve.
They support you. They are aligned with your values and political goals and actively provide encouragement, resources, advice, or assistance when needed.
They protect you. They are committed to safeguarding your well-being, reputation, and interests, especially in challenging situations. They act as advocates and defenders when needed.
Activity: Map Your Circle of Trust
Role by role, write down the names of the individuals around you who you would consider to be in your Circle of Trust.
For each individual, identify if they fulfill any or all of the above key characteristics (they know, respect, support, and/or protect you).
Reflect: Are there any roles that are over-represented? Are there any gaps, missing perspectives, or areas where you need to build more connections?
Plan: How can you integrate your Circle of Trust into your safety planning? How can you fill any gaps in support?
Next Steps
The individuals within your Circle of Trust will serve an integral part of supporting your safety and longevity as an elected official. Continue to cultivate these relationships and actively bring them into your safety planning conversations where appropriate.
Remember, your Circle of Trust is not just about who supports you, but also about who you support. Nurture those connections to build a resilient and empowering network.
Looking for more safety plan strategies? Apply to join our members-only community to gain access to specialized workshops, training opportunities, and resources.
