From work-PLACES to work-SPACES (exploring a hybrid future)
The physical office serves many purposes but perhaps the most important is to provide a space for us to come together, to connect and co-create.???To arrange a meeting in the physical office simply means booking a room and inviting attendees.??And the room usually comes pre-configured with the tools needed to support the meeting like whiteboards, projectors, butchers’ paper etc.??
Making space
When working virtually the responsibility for ‘making space’ has shifted from the property team to the meeting organizer.??If the organizer is not conscious or aware of this new responsibility, they will most likely just book a meeting with a video conference link and say ‘job done’, missing out on the incredible opportunity to create a space that is tailor-made for their meeting.??
In the physical world, it would take a team of architects, engineers, and tradies to build the perfect space for your business or meeting.??But in the virtual world, we can build this ourselves in a matter of minutes.??
Designing and building a virtual space for a team activity is a new skill that most of us will need to develop.??Give yourself and your team permission to experiment with different tools and techniques.???Be prepared to fail and celebrate when you and your team display the courage to try something new.
Setting an Intention
When I run workshops, I like to arrive early to prepare the room.??I start by setting up the physical space (whiteboards, butchers’ paper etc.) and then take a moment to set a clear intention for the day by visualizing what I hope to achieve, and lastly, I let go of all expectations to become fully present in the room.
Setting a clear intention is an important step in the process, it is the why or the purpose for the creation of the space.??In the virtual world this is even more important.
Holding Space
Have you ever belonged to an online forum or group that started out with lots of energy and participation but over time faded away???Someone or a group of people need to accept the responsibility for holding the space, without this the group collapses.?
Fredric Laloux, the author of Reinventing Organisations, says that holding space is the most critical role of a leader in the future of work and that holding space is about being authentically present, supportive, and accepting.
After observing palliative care nurses holding space for the dying Heather Plett beautifully described holding space for someone else as being?“willing to walk alongside another person in whatever journey they’re on without judging them, making them feel inadequate, trying to fix them, or trying to impact the outcome. When we hold space for other people, we open our hearts, offer unconditional support, and let go of judgment and control.”
Adaptation hacks:
·???????Give yourself and your team permission to experiment with different tools and techniques.???
·???????Be prepared to fail and celebrate when you and your team display the courage to try something new – even when it doesn’t go to plan
·???????Use mindfulness techniques to practice being authentically present for others
Tools to try:
Additional reading:
Books:
Reinventing Organizations by Frederic Laloux
Leadership and the New Science by Margaret Wheatly
Podcast/Video