It was with pleasure that I undertook with Géraldine and at the request of Stéphane from infoQ a small series on Holacracy and Sociocracy. A minibook should be released soon that collects these articles along with others. The idea was to share our experience with Holacracy and Sociocracy, to give an overview of what seems important to know before diving in.

These articles date from April to October 2017. I’m trying to comment on them a bit to give a more global sense to the reading. You can talk about Holacracy as well as Sociocracy, there are small variations, but the most important is the trademarked, paid aspect of Holacracy versus the opensource aspect of Sociocracy. For the first one you could read the book by its creator (the term “creator” seems really exaggerated to me, he assembled and registered it, with intelligence): Brian Robertson, Holacracy. For the second I recommend the site sociocracy30.org.

The articles

Holacracy, why are we talking about it?

First an introduction, which echoes this article the framework of holacracy, so the objective was to set the framework precisely. The idea is to present the thinking, its concepts.

Holacracy, how to start Monday

Then to propose a way to get your foot in the stirrup, pragmatically.

Gothamocracy, explicit lyrics

Next, to give a sense of the atmosphere, through an imaginary meeting in a Gotham City den, of a Holacracy conversation. So therefore the framework, then a pragmatic way to start, finally to convey the content.

Pitfalls and chimeras of Holacracy

To conclude, remind everyone to intelligently appropriate the tools they are provided. Always understand a way of thinking and don’t hesitate to diverge or adapt if you find something better.

The interviews

A personal context allowed us to access Mark and Folkert who experienced a sociocratic/holacratic transformation of large scale (1000 people) over five years. Thanks to them.

Mark Bent

Mark was the director who initiated the change.

Folkert Borstlap

Folkert was a member of one of the unions and is still an employee of Spirit.

My other previous articles on the subject

The framework of holacracy

Recap and synthesize what seems essential in Holacracy (or Sociocracy).

Hellocratie, holocratie, holacratie, honolulucratie

A first introduction.