Introduction:
The picture says it all.
A holding environment is like a parent teaching a child to ride a bike—providing support while allowing independence. The parent stays close, ready to step in if needed, giving the child the confidence to learn and grow. Similarly, in a holding environment, leaders create a space where individuals feel secure enough to take risks, adapt, and thrive during change.
So why is this concept so important during strategic change? We will explore this through the blog.
What is a holding environment
A holding environment refers to a space—be it physical or emotional, that provides safety and support during periods of change, uncertainty, or stress. The term originated from the work done by psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott, who described it as the nurturing environment provided by a caregiver to help an infant feel secure while exploring the world.
Relevance of Holding Environment during strategic change:
Strategic change is often a turbulent period, marked by uncertainty, resistance, and high emotions. When organisations are driving such transformations, they face the dual challenge of pushing through the change effort and at the same time requiring the environment that enables change to happen. This is where the concept of the ‘holding environment’ becomes relevant.
It is a space that enables individuals to confront the demands of change without feeling overwhelmed. It is a container where people can process their anxieties, share their feelings with their colleagues and navigate the complexities of transformation. It creates a framework of support and challenge, ensuring that while people feel anchored in safety, they are also encouraged to step out of their comfort zones and embrace change.
Role of Leaders
During transformative change, employees often look up to leaders almost as parents who are able to provide the comfort and the security needed to overcome the fear and anxiety that comes with strategic change.
We can therefore say that leaders are themselves the instrument of the ‘holding environment’. How they role model change often sets the template for the rest of the organisation. As we know, strategic change is not easy and requires holding the tension for long periods of time – that is necessary for change to take place. This was best elaborated by Heifetz (2009) in his work of adaptive leadership.
Below are some simple ways how leaders can provide the holding environment:
- Being a good listener: Active listening conveys respect and empathy. Leaders need to go beyond their echo chambers and pay attention to what is said, and unsaid.
- Having an emotional aperture: A leader’s emotional aperture—their ability to perceive and respond to the emotional dynamics of a group—creates a holding environment by fostering psychological safety and addressing collective anxieties.
- Protecting the voices of dissent: It is difficult to raise the uncomfortable questions. And so, when they are raised, it is the leader’s responsibility to protect the voices from being challenged, or marginalized.
- Holding the tension between stability and change: Leaders have an important role to play in holding the tension that is necessary for change to take place. This dual focus fosters trust and resilience, ensuring the holding environment supports both emotional safety and transformative growth.
Conclusion:
The holding environment is a cornerstone of effective leadership in times of change. It’s not merely a theoretical construct but a practical tool for navigating the complexities of organizational life. By balancing support and challenge, leaders can guide individuals and teams through the discomfort that comes with change. As we embrace an era of constant transformation, the holding environment serves as a reminder that leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about creating the conditions for people to discover themselves.
Srikanth is the founder of Vruddhi India, a management consulting firm focused on Change leadership practices. We specialize in guiding companies through the complexities of change in a way that is uniquely personal and customized. You can email me at srikanth.pv@vruddhiindia.com for more information.