organisational philosophy
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a teal organisation
House of the Beloved is organised in alignment with the principles of a Teal organisation, as described by Frédéric Laloux (Reinventing organisations, 2014). We understand the organisation as a living system rather than a fixed hierarchy. Responsibility and authority are distributed, decision-making is guided by self-management and an advice-based process, and roles remain fluid, evolving in response to the needs of the work and the people involved. We aim to create conditions in which individuals can bring their own way of being human into the organisation, cultivating trust, transparency, accountability, and authentic presence.
Teal is not understood here as a rigid model or ideological endpoint, but as an integrative developmental orientation. House of the Beloved consciously draws on and includes earlier organisational logics—such as structure and clarity (Amber), effectiveness and achievement (Orange), and care, participation, and shared values (Green)—whenever these are appropriate. We apply these modes flexibly and context-sensitively, in attunement with environmental, relational, and practical demands. In this way, the organisation remains responsive, grounded, and capable of evolving in dialogue with its purpose and the world it serves.
House of the beloved as a Teal organisation:
1. Relate to the organization as a living system, not a machine
House of the beloved is a fragile institute that exists with the purpose to support the existential development of its members, visitors and the practice of being different together. People and their existential development are always the goal, never a means towards a goal. The institute continuously shape shifts to enable a structure that is optimally suited to do this.
2. Shift from control to sense-making and listening
Our proposed way of being together is authentic presence: revealing yourself with radically owned honesty as a path towards self-recognition. It’s principles are summarized in the morning prayer:
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May I be intimate with myself, sensitively attuned to what is there, carefully listening to my body.
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May I have the courage to reveal myself, without censoring, without shame, just showing myself as I am.
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May I have the curiosity and interest to deeply listen to others, so I can feel as they feel and see the world as they do.
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Without trying to change anything, without trying to make anything happen or prevent anything from happening. Just being with what is, leaning into the discomfort, as a way to deepen my self-insight and self-recognition.
3. Guided by purpose as something to be discovered, not imposed
The evening prayer describes how we discover purpose:
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May I search for the truth out of love for myself and for all
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May I have the clarity and courage to distinguish between what to keep close, and what to lay aside
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May I have an open heart and mind to accept and welcome everything as it is inside me and in the world
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And without assumptions or prejudice listen to what is there
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Without fear or preference allow it to break through
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So that through my body and mind, through gratitude and devotion, a life may be revealed
4. Integrate rationality, intuition, embodiment, and ethics
sociocracy & holacracy
This vision is implemented by a flexible alteration between techniques from sociocracy and holacracy.
When community and equality are important:
SOCIOCRACY: a framework for collective decision making and community building
John Buck & Sharon Villines (2007). We the People: Consenting to a Deeper Democracy,
Ted J. Rau & Jerry Koch-Goldsmith (2018). Many Voices One Song: Shared Power With Sociocracy.
House of the Beloved draws inspiration from sociocratic principles in its collaboration and decision-making processes. This entails a commitment to equality, transparency, and shared responsibility. Decisions are made on the basis of consent: a proposal is adopted provided that no substantiated objection is raised that would undermine the collective purpose. In this way, all perspectives are taken seriously, and decision-making contributes to quality, broad support, and a sense of connection.
The organization operates through circles, each of which holds responsibility for a specific domain, and which are interconnected within a network of coordination and mutual representation. Sociocracy is not implemented as a rigid system, but as a living practice that allows space for relationship, care, and deliberation where necessary. Through this approach, a culture of listening, learning, and shared authority is fostered, in service of the mission and community life of House of the Beloved.
When effectiveness and work-related clarity are important:
HOLACRACY: a framework for role clarity, decisiveness, & self-management
Based on Brian J. Robertson, Holacracy: The Revolutionary Management System that Abolishes Hierarchy (2015)
House of the Beloved makes use of elements inspired by Holacracy as a supportive organisational framework for self-management. Authority and responsibility are primarily held in clearly defined roles rather than in fixed positions or personal status. These roles articulate purpose, scope, and accountability, enabling individuals to act autonomously while remaining aligned with the whole.
The organisational structure is understood as evolutionary rather than static. Tensions that arise in practice - experienced as gaps between current reality and what is needed - are treated as meaningful signals and are addressed through transparent, structured processes. In this way, the form of the organisation remains responsive to its lived practice and changing context.
Holacracy is not adopted as a total system or ideology, but as a set of practical instruments in service of clarity, fairness, and adaptability. These instruments support self-management and shared responsibility, while leaving room for relational intelligence, discernment, and embodied presence. The framework serves the purpose and values of House of the Beloved, rather than the other way around.
Detailed info and practical guidelines: The Holacracy Constitution