I’ve been “holding space” (creating environments where clients can feel safe and supported while resolving important issues) for as long as I can remember. Recently, I realized that I couldn’t adequately explain to myself, much less to anyone else, how I went about holding space. I decided to look at my own experience, as well as that of other practitioners, to more clearly understand what was important for me about this activity. I am sharing the results in this eBook.
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Mindfully Holding Space
1. 1
Mindfully Holding Space
One Way to Cultivate Character and Presence
Daryl Conner, Founder and Chairman, Conner Partners
“However we do it, when we hold space for someone in need, we are
offering a gift of the highest nature.” — Daily OM
4. Introduction
A small inquiry led to big discoveries. 5
Character and presence are
encountered through struggle.
6
Struggle is the doorway to
holding space.
7
A Few Qualifiers 8
9. What is “mindfully held
space”?
It’s not about holding space from a
distance.
10
Mindfully holding space is about close,
active involvement.
11
A Definition of Mindfully Held Space 12
Held space is unique. 13
Held space is a non-physical
reality.
13
Held space is filled with
possibilities.
13
Held space is for resolving
struggles.
14
Held space has a singular focus. 15
Held space resides within a
container.
16
Mindfully holding space is a rare honor. 17
Influence occurs indirectly. 18
We are not holding space itself. 19
Held space is amenable to influence. 20
There are two windows of influence:
shaping and maintaining the container.
21
22. Shaping the Container
The first window of influence is to
shape the container using four
components.
23
1. There must be struggle to justify
holding space.
24
Whenever possible, have the client
define the struggle.
25
2. What outcome does the client
want?
26
Client due-diligence is important. 27
3. What is the client’s relationship to
the intent?
28
4. Be careful to identify the right
attributes.
29
When selecting the attributes,
focus on outcomes.
30
Consider specialized, as well as
universal, attributes.
31
Your character and presence are
critical attributes to shaping the
container.
32
A holistic view of the components is
essential.
33
Review: Shaping the container. 34
Space is formed within the container. 35
36. Sustaining the Container
The second window of influence is
ensuring that learning continues in the
space.
37
What triggers the second window of
influence?
38
An Example of Sustaining the Learning
Environment
39
Remain focused on helping your client
make informed decisions.
41
46. Let’s focus on the practitioner
holding the space.
Traits of a Practitioner Who Is
Successful at Holding Space
47
Mindful: The practitioner is
intentional about when (and when
not) to hold space.
48
Confident: The practitioner has
multiple ways to meet the client’s
needs.
49
Adjusts: The practitioner fine-
tunes his or her approach to
space-holding based on the
client’s needs.
50
Serves: The practitioner
approaches his or her role with a
deep sense of responsibility to the
client.
51
Present: The practitioner remains
attentive.
52
53. Epilogue
There are two principles of holding
space.
54
1. It is important to look at holding
space through different lenses.
55
2. Even under less than ideal
circumstances, there can be value.
58
Meet two masters at holding space. 59
Mindfully holding space develops
character and presence.
61
How do you hold space? 62