Holding Space: A Guide to Mindful Facilitation
by Kate Ebner and Izzy Martens
The work of skilled facilitators has never been more necessary or important. Opening up the space for dialogue for all is needed now, more than ever. Holding Space: A Guide to Mindful Facilitation is a starting point, intended to make it easier for coaches, facilitators, and leaders to step forward with confidence. Authors Kate Ebner, CEO of The Nebo Company and her colleague Izzy Martens, a certified facilitator, writer and yoga teacher, share stories, lessons, strategies for facilitating important conversations and gatherings.
Holding Space begins with the insight that becoming a great facilitator requires a willingness to look within, including an examination of one’s own beliefs and biases, presence, unique traits and trigger points. Discover how to tap into the practice of mindfulness to “hold space” for others and create extraordinary —even transformational– experiences and outcomes.
Editorial Reviews
"Holding Space is a beautiful and smart blend of engaging storytelling and tangible practices. It covers both the inner and outer landscape of what it takes to be a facilitator of change while intentionally and inclusively convening conversations that inspire it."
Kelly Lewis
Author of Navigating Polarities: Using Both/AndThinking to Lead Transformation
"This book is an outstanding resource for facilitators leading during complex and turbulent times. As teams are more disjointed and conversations are becoming increasingly polarized, it's never been more important to hone the skill of convening important, inclusive conversations. This book provides a call-to-action for facilitators who want to convene conversations that inspire change. The focus on mindfulness and centering as the cornerstone of facilitation is timely and resonant. Having worked closely with Kate and Izzy, I can attest that they practice what they preach. Holding Space is a window into their world of proven and practical insights, methods and tools that have made them highly impactful facilitators and leaders."
Rae Ringel
Director of the Certificate in Facilitation ProgramInstitute for Transformational Leadership
Georgetown University
"At work, we live our lives in meetings. If you want to learn practical ways of facilitating meetings mindfully, inclusively, with empathy, in order to evoke transformative actions, then Holding Space: A Guide to Mindful Facilitation is for you. It will change the way you think about meeting facilitation, and it will improve the effectiveness of every meeting you participate in. Mandatory reading for coaches, facilitators, managers, team leaders, and everyone who attends or leads meetings."
Paul Shrivastava
Author of Advances in Strategic Management"Holding Space is a useful, engaging, and heartwarming guide. This book instructs you on how to take the skill of facilitation and turn it into an art. In an age of divisive conversations, Holding Space is a must-read for anyone who convenes groups."
Emma Pass
Author of The Hybrid Teacher: Using Technologyto Teach In Person and Online