The Transitions Tuning Forks: Flow Finders
Bringing forth momentum and flow
The Falcon, the Salmon and the River
A falcon, a sturdy salmon, and their friend, the river, are on a lifelong adventure. Together, they travel upstream along the meandering river, who is slowly changing her course over rocks and time with the ever-changing seasons ahead of her. Flow finders are like falcons, flying high over the river, staring into the distance to grasp what’s happening in the vast landscape. A dam that needs to be demolished? Polluted waters that need cleaning or big buzzing storms that require anticipation? The falcon circles between the surface of the Earth, where he meets his friends and the vastness of the clouds, from where he can be the eyes and ears for the river and the salmon. Flow Finders are in a constant dynamic of anticipation, creating conditions for emergence and tuning in with the present moment.
Transitions away from modernity and towards the emergence of regenerative futures are messy, uncharted terrain, non-linear and without predetermined outcomes. Flow finders stimulate movement and create energy before this messy process slips into stuckness or stagnation. They recognise the various phases of transition and healing journeys and tune into what is necessary to stimulate flow. They take responsibility for planning and anticipating how to keep momentum.
For example, in the role of Flow Finder, you recognise that after facing uncomfortable truths about the deeply ingrained, widespread coloniality of our lives, people will need heartfelt emotional support; somebody should be present who can fulfil this role of deep listener and healer. This someone can be you as Flow Finder shifting into another role. Or the role can be fulfilled by someone else if you realise you don’t hold the capacity, energy or headspace to fulfil this role in this context. Instead of being overwhelmed in the moment and leaving the people you are holding space for in an unsettled place, you can feel ahead to consider what might be necessary.
Flow finders guide transitions without suffocating them with pre-determined outcomes and expectations. They support transitions to the next phase, recognise when there is a need for inspiration, silence, healing, motivation, expansion, practical learning or dreaming. They are the tuning forks of transitions.
What is the focus of flow finders?
Ensuring transitions don’t stagnate and keep flowing, by shifting between presencing and foresight and anticipating what is necessary to sustain momentum.
What qualities do flow finders hold?
Foresight
Anticipation
Enabling
Non-directive Support
Attunement
Deep empathy
What are we missing? Anything quality you would add?
What do the practices of Flow Finders look like?
The practice of flow finders is balancing sensing and foresight with responding to the presence. Whilst simultaneously creating the conditions for emergence, sensing when practical action is needed to enhance autonomy or when to initiate a dreaming practice to nurture hope. Flow Finders constantly tune in to context and consider which of the roles should step into the space that is held (collectively). In work and education settings, where, unfortunately, context blindness is widespread, this is a vital role.
What tools/approaches might flow finders use?
Foresight tools such as scenario envisioning
Empathic scenario planning
Ecosystems mapping
Three-horizon framework
Fluidity of Roles & Tools
The tools utilised in various space-holding roles often overlap with one or several other roles. Expansive methods such as Dragon Dreaming and Theory U are likely to be relevant in almost all roles. Other, more focused tools, such as scenario planning and eco-systems mapping, can be useful for multiple roles, but are primarily initiated in the role of flow finder. Some of these tools are used collectively, and others are useful for the facilitator/spaceholder to help them guide the transition and hold the space.
I utilise foresight tools within workshops to envision various scenarios and explore which conditions need nurturing for these futures to emerge. I also use elements of foresight for pattern recognition and to continuously adjust and attune my facilitation approach. When creating a facilitation script for a gathering, I will consider the context, the people, their relations and try to anticipate what topics/questions/frictions/emotions will emerge and what will be a natural next step or exercise. Of course, whilst remaining flexible and holding space for the unexpected.
Asking you
We would truly love to hear from you and explore the art of space holding collectively!
Do you recognise yourself in this role?
What methods, approaches, and styles are you naturally more drawn to? How do you nurture yourself when fulfilling this role?
Do you feel a vital aspect or insight is missing in this high-level exploration of the Flow Finder?
What metaphors, qualities and practices surface when you are reflecting on the role of Flow Finders?
Next in the Roles of Space Holding Series
In the next article, we will explore the role of Heart Openers, or, to use a term from the agro-ecology movement, Mystica.