What is Sociocracy?

A Fairer Society
Healthy Places to Work

TLDR: Sociocracy is a way of governing organisations so that every voice is heard and more work gets done, faster. It combines bottom-up representation with top-down coordination. Policy decisions include everyone in the team, and tasks are delegated to those with the right experience. It fits any organisation that wants to increase its effectiveness and govern based on the value of equality.

SOCIOCRACY

Sociocracy is a way of governing organisations so that every voice is heard and more work gets done, faster. It combines bottom-up representation with top-down coordination. Policy decisions include everyone in the team, and tasks are delegated to those with the right experience. Teams that use Sociocracy develop a high degree of trust and engagement, and the ability to continuously learn as they work together. They are well organised and their common goal is clear.

It also offers a way of structuring organisations so they are able to take full advantage of innovative working methods such as Agile software development and Open Book Management.

WHO IS IT FOR?

It can be employed in a wide range of projects, organisations, and communities. It’s for any organisation that wants to increase its effectiveness and govern based on the value of equality. Its use is growing worldwide, especially in the third and public sectors, and it is the gold standard in cohousing and worker co-ops. You can read more about Sociocracy below. We also have a free course to learn the basics.
 
 Learn the basics of Sociocracy on this free short course
If you would like to have a chat about how to use it in your organisation...
 Schedule a call with us

Where Sociocracy Works

Sociocracy is an organising model for any organisation that wants to increase its effectiveness and govern based on the value of equality. It does not work for organisations which engage in exploitative extraction of value to enrich a small number of people; nor for leadership that doesn't want to learn from colleagues, changing strategy according to their feedback. In the past few decades, we’ve seen the strongest uptake in the third sector, with the public sector now catching up worldwide, including:
Cooperatives
& SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
Cohousing &
INTENTIONAL COMMUNITIES
VOLUNTARY, 
CHARITY, NON PROFIT
tech companies
agile/lean methods
PUBLIC SECTOR,
NGOs - LOCAL & REGIONAL
SMEs
SMALL/MEDIUM BUSINESS
project teams adopting modern management

Sociocratic history and principles

Sociocracy was developed in the Dutch marine electronics firm Endenburg Elektrotechniek during the 1970s, it has since been formalised (with four fundamental principles, a set of best practices, and a practitioner certification programme and has spread to thousands of organisations and communities worldwide. It has four key Principles.

THE FOUR PRINCIPLES

Sociocracy rests on four principles: consent, circles, feedback/double-linking, and election by consent. Each team is called a circle.

PRINCIPLE 1:  Consent Decision Making

Most decisions in a sociocratic workplace or community are considered “operational”, and are delegated to people, processes, or groups by policy decisions. Policy decisions in Sociocracy are made by consent, meaning that no party to the decision can identify a risk or cost that would be unaffordable for the project. This is an effective translation of the Quaker consensus practice into the secular domain. (This is the heart of consent decision-making and explains the difference between consent vs consensus.)

PRINCIPLE 2:  Circles (Semi-Autonomous Teams)

The organising unit in Sociocracy is a semi-autonomous team known as a circle. Each circle is defined by its purpose of delivering a specific flow of value, such as a product or service, to particular clients or beneficiaries. A circle makes its own working policy decisions by consent, including decisions on its membership, how its work will be done, and whether to create sub-circles below it. (Think clear domains, explicit roles, and fit-for-purpose delegation.)

PRINCIPLE 3:  Feedback / Double-Linking

Sociocracy is a system for ensuring organisational learning, which relies on building feedback into every process and structure. The minimum implementation is the double-link, in which a parent circle selects an operations leader for each sub-circle that reports to it, and each sub-circle elects a representative to the circle above. The representative fully participates in the policy-making of both parent and child circles, but will often have no operational responsibilities in the parent circle, participating only in policy decisions. (This two-way connection is what people mean by double linking.)

PRINCIPLE 4:  Election by Consent

Most decisions can be delegated by consent to a person or process (e.g., a circle could decide by consent to use majority-rule votes to determine a participatory budgeting process outcome). The one decision that cannot be delegated is the choice of who will serve in enduring roles. All named roles must be filled by an election by consent.

Sociocracy 3.0 (S3): Patterns & Drivers

Sociocracy 3.0 (S3) creates a pattern library you can adopt incrementally. It introduces drivers (clear statements of need/opportunity) to guide change, making it easier to evolve practice over time. Drivers in S3 are a different way of describing Vision in Sociocracy. (You’ll also see S3 written as sociocracy 3.0, s3 sociocracy, or “S3”.)

Sociocracy vs Holacracy

 (and vs Consensus)

Sociocracy vs Holacracy: Sociocracy is a governance framework (circles, consent, double-linking). Holacracy is a more prescriptive operating system with formalised roles and processes.

Consent vs Consensus: Consensus seeks unanimity; consent asks whether anyone has a paramount objection to moving forward. With clear aims and roles, consent is faster and safer in practice.

Get Started with Sociocracy

Get started for free
Starting with this free Sociocracy Basics course (free short course). Join a peer learning community to exchange experiences, challenges, and solutions with others on the same journey.

 Learn the Sociocracy Basics FREE


Then...
Browse below for an example of the kind of support we can provide you. If you would like to have a chat about how we can tailor this support to fit your needs, take a look at our Sociocracy Consulting or book a call below...

 SCHEDULE A CALL WITH US
Tier 1: DIY + COACHING

£500 per year

  • Support for those learning at your own pace with our guidance.
  • Access to a peer support group and expert coaching or consulting to answer questions and guide your implementation.
  • Enhanced self-assessment with support in administering and analysing the results
Tier 2: Sociocracy Transformation

£1500 per month

If you need hands-on facilitation and consulting to integrate participatory decision-making.

  • Implementation of key elements of Sociocracy, tailored to your co-op’s needs.
  • Ongoing expert support from our team to facilitate meetings, train members, and refine your governance structures.
  • Coaching and mentorship for your leadership team.
  • Includes Tiers 1
Tier 3: Full Living Systems Design

£4500 per month

If you’re ready for a comprehensive transformation with an intensive, full-team engagement.

  • A detailed assessment of your co-op’s governance, decision-making.
  • A dedicated team of experts working alongside you to redesign processes, providing custom training and facilitation support
  • Multi-stakeholder governance connecting the communities you serve.
  • Design and launch of your movement.
  • Includes Tiers 1 & 2.
Book YOUR free strategy call today

Frequently Asked Questions

What is sociocracy in simple terms?

Sociocracy is a way of governing organisations so that every voice is heard and tasks are delegated to those with the right experience.

Is sociocracy the same as consensus?

No. Consensus seeks unanimity; consent asks whether anyone has a paramount objection to moving forward within clear roles and aims.

Where is sociocracy used?

Sociocracy fits any organisation that wants to increase its effectiveness and govern based on the value of equality. It does not work for organisations which engage in exploitative value extraction, nor for leadership that doesn't want to learn from colleagues. In the past few decades, we’ve seen the strongest uptake in the third sector (particularly co-ops, cohousing groups, charities, SMEs, and teams adopting modern management), with the public sector now catching up worldwide.

What is double-linking in sociocracy?

Two-way representation between teams (circles) so information and influence flow up and down, improving learning and accountability.

What is Sociocracy 3.0 (S3)?

A pattern-based extension of sociocracy using drivers and modular practices you can adopt gradually alongside Agile/OBM.

Do you offer Sociocracy Consulting?

Yes, see our Sociocracy Consulting packages (DIY + Coaching, Transformation, Full Living Systems Design) here: https://afairersociety.com/sociocracy-consulting

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Nathaniel Whitestone

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