Holding Space for Others Leaves More Room for You

I didn't realize until partway through our recording that it was Heather Plett's article about holding space that had caught - and kept - my attention for five years.

When I read the article, I remember sharing it widely and making great efforts to apply Heather's guiding principles to my conversations with our sons, my husband, and my coaching clients.

Heather sent me her book as a gift prior to our conversation, and as I read it I found myself nodding in agreement, immediately connecting dots around my work in communication coaching, and having enough "ah ha" moments about where I've fallen short in my efforts that it made my head spin.

I had to slow down and absorb, rather than rush through so I'd be prepared for our call.

As we talked through some of the parts of the book that really stood out as I read, it finally dawned on me that this was the author of that article I loved so much, and that had such an impact on me more than five years ago.

Heather shared some great moments on her journey so far, about the origins of her viral article, her thoughts about what "holding space" means now, after that phrase has become overused, and how she sees different layers in how we can listen more compassionately and deeply depending on what's being shared.

When we talked about "liminal space", I started to truly apply what I had learned from that article years before, clarity coming as a gift from Heather about liminal space and its relationship with transition and transformation.

The entire conversation was a gift to me, and hopefully a gift to listeners. You will want to get your hands on this book, The Art of Holding Space, a Practice of Love, Liberation, and Leadership.

Be sure to visit Heather's website to learn more about her work, and follow or connect with her on LinkedIn to see what she shares on that platform.

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Sarah Elkins loves to guide individuals and teams to improve communication, using storytelling as the foundation of her work. She is a Gallup certified Strengths coach and uses that tool to coach her clients to improve their communication in all relationships, and to find more satisfaction at work and at home.

Her book, Your Stories Don't Define You, How You Tell Them Will is available on bookshop.org (supporting independent booksellers), and on Amazon.

The audiobook will be available on November 4, 2020, and includes two songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change! Visit her website for updates.