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1. The Space Between Us: What It Really Means to Hold Space

There are moments in leadership, in service, in teaching—when someone brings us their fear, their frustration, their grief, or their truth—and we realize we’re not being asked to solve anything.

We’re being asked to hold space.


But what does that actually mean?


For years, “holding space” has lived in the background of our best interactions—like when a teammate finally lets their guard down, or when someone says, “I’ve never told anyone this before.”


It’s the invisible thread that makes a hard conversation feel safe. It’s what allows someone to speak up. It’s what turns a meeting into a moment of connection.


A dark, quiet room with a single open door glowing with warm light—revealing a view of clouds and sky beyond. A potted plant rests in the shadows. The door is not just open—it’s inviting.
An open doorway with warm light spilling in. Holding space is the invitation—soft, steady, and quietly powerful—that lets people know they are safe to walk through.

This blog series is about bringing that invisible skill to light.


Holding space isn’t soft. It isn’t vague. It’s one of the most powerful, strategic, and deeply human things we can do—as leaders, educators, front-line staff, board members, or just people who care.


In this series, I’ll walk through seven human-centered practices that help us lead with courage, create trust, and show up for others without losing ourselves.


These practices are not personality traits.

They’re not about being naturally “good with people.”


They’re skills—ones we can build, stretch, and return to again and again.


What We’ll Explore:


  1. Showing Up with Heart – Leading with presence, courage, and compassion

  2. Listening Without Fixing – Giving others space without rushing to solve

  3. Making Room for Messy Stuff – Letting people be real, even when it's raw

  4. Structured Support – Creating rhythms, rituals, and boundaries that hold us steady

  5. Keeping It Real and Rooted – Balancing big vision with grounded reality

  6. Speaking with Care – Saying what needs to be said, with love and clarity

  7. Being Brave in the Mess – Staying present when things get hard, uncomfortable, or uncertain


This work is especially for those who hold a lot:


  • Leaders and facilitators navigating change, conflict, or culture work

  • Front-line staff managing visitor energy and emotional labor

  • DEAI practitioners and people who carry invisible labor for others

  • Anyone trying to show up for their teams or communities without burning out


These practices might challenge the way we’ve been taught to lead.


But they invite something far more powerful: connection that holds.


Whether you’re in a museum, a nonprofit, a classroom, or a boardroom—this work is for you.

And it’s not meant to be done alone.


Share it with your team.

Use it in a retreat.

Reflect with a friend or journal privately.

Come back to it anytime the work gets real.


Let’s begin with the first practice: Showing Up with Heart.


It’s not about having all the answers.

It’s about how you show up—when no one else does.

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