INTENTIONAL SOCIAL SPACES SERIES #2
Coaching Circles: a Prototype for the ‘Third Place’
Where vulnerability is safe and empathy is abundant
Coaching circle is my favorite method in the Theory U constellation. I regard such small, close-knit and coherent groups as prototypes for the “third place for psychological wellbeing”.
The “third place” is a sociology-inspired concept, referring to another place outside home and work that people can gather and build a sense of community. One of Starbucks early guiding principles has been to hold a “third place” where customers can gather and connect. If Starbucks models ideal physical space for such gatherings, what should the social fabric look like? Coaching circle provides one way of constructing the social fabrics.
Because of the deep personal trauma and amazing healing I have gone through, I am always curious about the types of social spaces and the stories such spaces invite. So many spaces only welcome the glamour sides of us; people often get embarrassed when you get vulnerable and ask for emotional support for a dire need.
Coaching circles fill in the gap by providing the third kind of intentional space where vulnerability is safe and empathy is abundant; where genuine human compassion and love can help…
