Holacracy

Holacracy

Question # 1 What does holacracy mean?

The word holacracy comes from "holon."  A “holon” is an autonomous unit that is also an interdependent part of a larger whole.  ”Cracy” means “ruled by.”

https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/holacracy

There is no value system in the Holacracy constitution.

Holacracy is value neutral.

https://blog.holacracy.org/holacracy-is-not-what-you-think-67144c3adf8

Holacracy is a rule-based method.

Those rules are documented in the holacracy constitution.

https://corporate-rebels.com/holacracy-a-framework-not-a-blueprint/

Holacracy is not focused on people.

It is focused on internal processes, guidelines

and structures.

https://www.holaspirit.com/blog/holacracy https://www.wrike.com/blog/what-is-holacracy-and-will-it-work-in-my-company/#What-is-a-holacratic-organizational-structure

The word “customer” or a reference to any feedback mechanism from the customer does not appear once in the Holacracy Constitution.

Holacracy arrangements are purely inward-looking and vertical.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevedenning/2014/01/15/making-sense-of-zappos-and-holacracy/

Question # 2 What is a role?

Each person has one or more roles.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antoinette-weibel_freethinker-orgtransformation-holacracy-activity-6976419137065521152-_eJU

A role definition includes a purpose / a goal that the person will pursue.

https://www.holacracy.org/constitution/5

A role is a set of responsibilities for a certain outcome

or process. Each role includes authority to make specific decisions. A role can be created, revised or destroyed.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antoinette-weibel_freethinker-orgtransformation-holacracy-activity-6976419137065521152-_eJU

The person with a ”Rep Link“ link in a circle communicates requests from the circle to other circles.

https://www.freitag.ch/en/holacracy

Question # 3 What is a circle?

Each person works in one or more teams called circles.

https://hbr.org/2016/07/beyond-the-holacracy-hype

A circle is a container for organizing roles

and policies around a common purpose.

https://www.holacracy.org/constitution/5

A circle is a group of “roles” working toward the same purpose.

After Zappos implemented holacracy, 150 departmental units evolved into 500 circles.

https://hbr.org/2016/07/beyond-the-holacracy-hype

Each circle operates within the hierarchy.  Each higher circle tells its lower circle or circles what its purpose is and what is expected of it.  A higher circle can do anything to a lower circle, for example change it, re-staff it or abolish it if it doesn’t perform according to the higher circle’s expectations.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevedenning/2014/01/15/making-sense-of-zappos-and-holacracy/

Question # 4 What does a circle lead do?

A circle lead may define priorities

and strategies for the circle.

https://www.holacracy.org/constitution/5

A circle lead may

 assign any role within the circle to anyone willing to fill it.  cancel an assignment to any role within the circle.

https://www.holacracy.org/constitution/5

A circle lead may reassign people to other roles.

https://hbr.org/2016/07/beyond-the-holacracy-hype https://www.freitag.ch/en/holacracy

Question # 5 How must meetings be done in holacracy?

A facilitator of a meeting must use a specific process.

Examples:  Check-in round: Each participant in turn shares their current state or offers another opening comment. Responses are not allowed.  Closing round: Each participant in turn shares a closing reflection on the meeting.

Responses are not allowed.

https://www.holacracy.org/constitution/5