Holding space is an art, a practice, and an intention filled with learning and unlearning. We invite you on this transcending journey as we hold space with empathy and mobility. Discover the who, what, when, where, and how to hold space along with the elements supporting it from self to others and together. 

You will learn to hold space for collaboratively seeing options and moving through options.

These journeys will teach you…

• Why is Open Space so different?
• Curating and designing experiences with empathy in mind
• Grasping and infusing the elements of Open Space into experiences.
• Holding space in Open Space.
• Applying Open Space facilitation beyond Open Space.
• Holding space remotely and in person.
• Avoiding the framework and tools trap and safely hacking (Liberating Structures, Design Thinking, Agile, canvases, and more).
• Scaling by letting go of scale.
• Reflecting as a key practice.
• Curating purpose.

These journeys will be like what?

We will gather monthly with a new 90-minute journey each month! 

These journeys will be interactive, experiential, and no decks.

With the spirit of Open Space in mind, the agenda (bulletin board) will be provided as a marketplace of learning opportunities each day. The experience will be co-creative and dynamic based upon your needs to balance autonomy and interdependence.

Be prepared for individual work and sharing some insights in pairs or triads. We’ll also ask you to share learning if you are comfortable with sharing. You will have time to capture your learning in your private journal in real-time.

Who are the right people to attend?

If you are seeking answers to these kinds of questions:

• You wish for more outcomes over endings in your experiences?
• You seek to hold experiences with belonging and community?
• You want to be more dynamic, engaging, responsive (not reactive)?
• You wish to pivot better when you become surprised?
• You realize that you need something other than “the plan”?
• You feel the pressure of running a meeting or event “on your own”?

And perhaps you hold one of these roles:

• Teacher
• Leader
• Facilitator
• Coach
• Manager
• Mentor
• Sponsor
• Advisor
• Consultant

… then let’s sit in this circle together.

This journey is an invitation to join our circle of people exploring the practice of an open space mindset. 

To support inclusion globally, we offer coupon codes based on the country you reside in. Contact us if you require one.

How might I prepare?

• Get a good night’s rest.
• Clear your schedule from anything immediately before or after these sessions.
• Bring a journal (or many sheets of paper) and something you enjoy writing with.

Who are your guides?

April Jefferson is an independent coach, collaboration facilitator, experience crafter, game creator, and international speaker. She adds value to the world by guiding the journey to nourish oneself with generative engagement — enjoying harmonizing mindsets, crafting applied learning experiences, and holding space both in-person and online. April is best known for the transformation and curation of spaces that keep people at the center. These experiences include Future of Work 24 Hours, Women in Agile Open, the five-part Growing Racial Equity Series for Black Lives, and with the clients she has engaged with. April has co-founded three active communities, sits on several boards, shared over 100 talks and workshops domestically and internationally. She is a mentor and ambassador of many professionals and youth. Love — diversity, equity, and inclusion is woven organically at the essence of every space and interaction of hers. April strives to embody the moniker “Soul Craftswoman”.

Mark Kilby boldly coaches where others feel it’s impossible, utilizing two decades of experience in agile principles and practices. His years of experience with remote, hybrid-remote and distributed agile teams is captured in his book co-authored with Johanna Rothman, From Chaos to Successful Distributed Agile Teams. Mark also co-founded a number of professional learning organizations such as Agile Orlando, Agile Florida, Virtual Team Talk, Remote Together, and the Agile Alliance Community Group Support Initiative to build sustainable, collaborative learning communities. Currently, he’s capturing and sharing his way of working with his partner, April Jefferson, in an upcoming book and monthly learning journeys at http://mobilitymindset.life. ; It’s also rumored that Mark is a mentor, consultant, international speaker, facilitator, proud father of three, a loving husband for more than 25 years, a Florida native (an endangered species), and former rocket scientist.

Currently, April and Mark are writing a book together and you are invited to explore that work with their mini-journey series supporting it. Stay up to date here.