Holacracy

Holacracy = An organizational governance system developed by Brian Robertson, which is derived from Sociocracy, but introduces a number of new elements.

Critics from traditional sociocracy point to the re-introduction of hierarchical elements within the process.

Description

A brief overview of each of holacracy’s structural elements and key practices:

Core Structure

Circle Organization

The organization is built as a holarchy of semi-autonomous, self-organizing circles. Each circle is given an aim by its higher-level circle, and has the authority and responsibility to execute, measure, and control its own processes to move towards that aim.

Double-Linking

A lower circle is always linked to the circle above it via at least two people who belong to and take part in the decision making of both the higher circle and the lower circle. One of these links is the person with overall accountability for the lower-level circle’s results, and the other is a representative elected from within the lower-level circle.

Core Practices

Individual Action

Individuals take whatever action needs to be taken to best reach the circle's aims, regardless of what structure and policies are or are not in place. If such action goes against or outside existing policies, the individual takes the action anyway, and then seeks to restore any imbalance or unfairness created. Finally, the individual brings the need for the action to a circle meeting so the system can learn and adapt by evolving policies and structures in light of the new information.

Circle Meetings

Each circle meets regularly to set policies and delegate accountability and control for specific functional areas and roles to its members.

Decisions by Integrative Emergence

Policies and decisions are crafted in circle meetings by systematically integrating the core truth or value in each perspective put forth, until no one present sees additional perspectives that need to be integrated before proceeding under the then-current proposal.

Dynamic Steering

Holacracy transcends predict-and-control steering with dynamic steering. All policies and decisions are made based on present understanding and refined as new information emerges.

Integrative Elections

People are elected to key roles through an integrative election process after open discussion.

Restorative Justice

When accountabilities are dropped or individual action leads to harm, balance is reestablished through a restorative justice system rather than a punitive one. First, all individuals involved “look in the mirror" to find their contribution to the situation, and take restorative action to bring the system back into balance. The extent of their restorative action is commensurate with their contribution, as measured by the relevant circle. Once restorative action is underway, the circles involved use the situation to learn and adapt, by defining or evolving accountabilities, limits, measurements, and policies to transcend the need for the injustice in the first place."

(http://www.holacracy.org/about_structuresandpractices.html)