No Capes, Just Courage: The Grit of Holding Space at Work”
We love the phrase “holding space” in corporate circles these days.
It rolls off the tongue in team meetings, feedback sessions, and those “check-in” Teams meeting, where someone inevitably drops a Brené Brown quote. (love her to) Let’s be real—what does holding space actually look like when we’re under deadline, juggling five priorities, and one coffee away from a nervous breakdown?
Let’s start here:
Showing up isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present. Together.
And no, I’m not talking about clocking in at 8:00 AM sharp and replying to every email within 4.3 seconds. I’m talking about really showing up—for your team, your colleagues, your boss, your people. Showing up in a way that says:
“I’ve got you. Even if I don’t fully understand your mess, I’m not walking away from it.”That’s what holding space means.
It’s not passive. It’s not just nodding empathetically with your TEAMS face on.
It’s active, gritty, and sometimes wildly uncomfortable.
Holding Space Looks Like This:
- Letting a colleague speak their truth—even when it’s inconvenient.
- Resisting the urge to fix, advise, or “solutionize” when someone just needs a damn moment.
- Checking in not because HR says you should, but because you actually give a damn.
- Taking accountability when you drop the ball (because, newsflash, you’re human too).
- Making room for messiness, instead of forcing polished perfection.
Why It Matters in the Workplace
We spend the majority of our waking hours working strategising, presenting, leading, managing. But if we strip out the humanity, we become efficient robots with shiny resumes and burnt-out souls.
Comradeship in the workplace isn’t about Friday happy hours (is they still a thing?) or posting #TeamGoals on LinkedIn. It’s about walking into the trenches with each other, not just clapping from the sidelines when someone survives the chaos.
The best teams aren’t built on flawless execution. They’re built on trust. And trust is born in the moments where we hold space—especially when it’s hard.
Real Talk for Leaders
If you’re in a leadership position, you don’t have the luxury of showing up only when it’s convenient. Your energy sets the tone. Your presence creates permission. Your vulnerability creates safety.
So when you ask someone how they’re doing, mean it.
When you say “I’m here for you,” prove it.
When someone fails, remind them they’re more than their KPIs.This is the work.
This is the difference between a group of employees and a team that’s got each other’s backs.
Final Snap
If we’re going to use phrases like “hold space,” let’s not treat them like corporate wallpaper. Let’s do the messy, beautiful, gut-level work of showing up for one another. No one gets through this thing alone—not in business, not in life.
So next time someone needs you—really needs you—don’t just “hold space.”
Be the space.
That’s how leaders lead.
That’s how humans thrive.
And that’s how we rise—together.
