http://heatherplett.com/2015/03/hold-space/

What does it mean to hold space for someone else? It means that we are willing to walk alongside another person in whatever journey they’re on without judging them, making them feel inadequate, trying to fix them, or trying to impact the outcome. When we hold space for other people, we open our hearts, offer unconditional support, and let go of judgement and control.

To truly support people in their own growth, transformation, grief, etc., we can’t do it by taking their power away (ie. trying to fix their problems), shaming them (ie. implying that they should know more than they do), or overwhelming them (ie. giving them more information than they’re ready for). We have to be prepared to step to the side so that they can make their own choices, offer them unconditional love and support, give gentle guidance when it’s needed, and make them feel safe even when they make mistakes.

Give people permission to trust their own intuition and wisdom. Give people only as much information as they can handle. Don’t take their power away. Keep your own ego out of it. Make them feel safe enough to fail. Give guidance and help with humility and thoughtfulness. Create a container for complex emotions, fear, trauma, etc. Allow them to make different decisions and to have different experiences than you would.