1. watech.wa.gov Holacracy Quick Start Basic information to get the ball rolling

2. watech.wa.gov Topics covered Basic tenets of Holacracy Commonly used terms The meetings involved with Holacracy Meeting flow Core roles GlassFrog

3. watech.wa.gov Basic tenets of Holacracy You are a sensor of the organization… you are in the best position to know when we’re not serving the customer and purpose of the org You are also in the best position to come up with the best proposals to solve issues Real tensions drive and prioritize the work and design of the organization You are the steward of your role. You are always on the look- out for how you can increase the capacity of a role You are the CEO of your role and have complete authority to make it better unless it’s been restricted by governance

4. watech.wa.gov Basic tenets of Holacracy You are responsible for prioritizing activities across your roles You are expected to use the Circle strategies to guide your prioritization of activities You are expected to consider all relevant requests and projects for your role and prioritize them accordingly You have the authority to pitch ideas to other roles but they prioritize their own work Final arbitrator of priorities is the Lead Link You can be assigned to multiple roles Roles can have multiple people

5. watech.wa.gov Key terms Circle – a group of roles Partner – an employee Governance – The definition of roles and rules we follow Tension – an impediment or an opportunity for us to be better Proposal – an idea to resolve a tension Domain – something that restricts the authority of others Objection – a reason why a proposal will reduce our capacity GlassFrog – the software tool used to capture our org structure

6. watech.wa.gov Meetings There are two meetings in Holacracy Tactical Meeting – Basically like a weekly staff meeting but more structured Governance Meeting – Where the definition of roles the rules get modified There are no quorums for the meetings Meetings are designed to “rapidly resolve” tensions and issues There is bias towards action over getting things perfect Incremental progress is the goal… there is always next week

7. watech.wa.gov Tactical meeting (working IN the org) Focus questions: – “What do you need?” – “Did that get you what you needed to move you to the next step?” Meeting Flow – Check-in – get present in the meeting. One person talking at a time – Checklist review – review of weekly, monthly, etc items. Only response: “Check” or “No check” There are no discussion. Questions/concerns are captured as tensions a little later – Metrics review – review of metrics by role. There is no discussion. Questions/concerns are captured as tensions a little later. – Project updates – things that have happened since last report out or “no update.” Questions are allowed. No discussion. – Triage Issues – build an agenda of tensions that are preventing people from making progress on their actions and projects – Closing Round – closing reflections about the meeting

8. watech.wa.gov Governance Meeting (working ON the org) Goal: incrementally improve the design of the org – Present proposals in response to tensions – Bias towards action Meeting Flow – Check-in – get present in the meeting. One person talking at a time – Administrative concern – meeting logistics, breaks, etc – Build agenda – 1 or 2 words to “label” your tensions – Integrative Decision Making Present Proposal – present changes to roles, accountabilities, domains, or policies. Only the proposer can talk Clarifying questions – others can ask clarifying questions to understand the proposal. No discussion Reaction round – one at a time. Any reaction to the proposal. Amend & Clarify – the Proposer can choose to amend or clarify their based on questions or reactions Objection Round – one at a time, others can object if they think the proposal will inhibit one of their roles Integration – tweak the proposal to resolve the original tension and objections – Closing Round – share reflections to improve the next meeting

9. watech.wa.gov Basic roles used in Holacracy Note: All roles are documented in GlassFrog, go there to see the official Purpose and Accountabilities Lead Link – assigned by the parent circle. Is responsible for the budget and strategies of the circle. Also, administratively assigns roles Facilitator – Elected role. Brutally enforces the meeting process Secretary – Records governance changes and operational changes. Rules on questions of governance interpretations.

10. watech.wa.gov Glassfrog The system of record for the rules (roles, accountabilities, etc) Is publicly accessible but you need a login to edit Will communicate (via email) changes made in the meetings, or notes updated for any roles URL: https://glassfrog.holacracy.org/organizations/848https://glassfrog.holacracy.org/organizations/848

11. watech.wa.gov Q&A