052 - How to facilitate a transition from power hierarchy to purpose hierarchy - with Heleen Kuiper

Heleen Kuiper is an expert in the practice of holacracy – a system for shifting organisations and teams towards self-management, helping them to focus on purpose, responsibilities, and getting work done. So, who better to talk to about holacracy than Heleen herself?

It is a fascinating take on facilitation and there are lessons every facilitator can learn from it, regardless of whether they entirely agree with it. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• How personal development and organisational development are connected
• How to create team spirit in holacratic systems
• What the differences are between holacratic and traditional facilitation

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Questions and Answers

[01:36] What led you to facilitation and holacracy?

[02:24] Would you call yourself a facilitator?

[03:21] What are the key things you teach people how to facilitate meetings?

[08:05] What is holacracy and what does a meeting look like in a holacratic structure?

[10:25] How do employees in managerial roles react in holacratic meetings?

[13:34] What does an organisation need to commit to in order to work with you?

[17:39] How do employees in managerial roles react if you are helping an organisation move from a hierarchical to a holacratic structure?

[21:48] How do you create warmth and a safe space in a holacratic system?

[26:53] How do you handle trust issues in holacratic meetings?

[29:28] If an employee raised that they felt overworked, how would this be addressed?

[33:43] Does holacracy find its way into your personal life?

[37:17] How do you balance the art of hosting with holacracy?

[38:37] What is your favourite exercise or practice?

[40:28] How do check-ins and holacracy work together?

[43:14] What makes a workshop fail?

[45:00] What do you do if a client has told you their expectations, but the group does not want to work to achieve it?

[50:13] If a listener fell asleep at the start of this episode and has just awoken, what is one thing you would like them to takeaway?

Links to Check

Holacracy 

Tactical Meeting Structure (pdf)

Deep Democracy

Empowerment Dynamic vs Drama Triangle: powerofted.com

Art of Hosting 

Theory U

Sabotage Line (Dutch only): deepdemocracy.nl/over-dee