Understanding Core roles
Core roles are foundational roles automatically created in every circle of your organization on Holaspirit by Talkspirit. These roles shape how your teams operate, guide how decisions are made, and ensure that every circle can function effectively. In this article, you’ll learn what core roles are, how they differ from other roles, and how to define them for your organization.
A core role is a predefined role that appears in all circles across your organization. These roles are vital for the structure and effectiveness of each circle—they're responsible for upholding the circle’s purpose and ensuring operational success. Unlike regular roles, core roles have formal responsibilities and a systemic impact across the organization. They are part of the circle’s organizational architecture and are essential for enabling collaboration, governance, and coordination.
Holaspirit by Talkspirit automatically includes the following default core roles based on the Holacracy Constitution 5.0:
Circle Lead
Circle Representative
Secretary
Facilitator
📌 *Note:* If your organization uses a different methodology or has a custom definition of core roles, you can update these settings in your circle configuration.
Non-core roles are all other roles within a circle. These roles still contribute to the circle’s projects and outcomes, but they’re not part of the core governance structure. While non-core roles can influence decisions and provide critical input, core roles carry formal authority and accountability in shaping how the circle operates.
📌 Core roles are automatically created in every existing and future circle. Removing a core role from settings will remove it from all circles—and any member assigned to it will be unassigned.
You can tailor your organizational structure by defining which roles should be core to your circles. To define core roles:
Go to Administration, then navigate to the Circles section.
Click on Circle settings.
Under the Core roles area, select the role templates you want to apply as core roles. Only roles created from templates can be designated as core.
Click Save to confirm your configuration.
📌 *Note:* Once added, a core role will appear in all circles. Deleting it from settings will remove it everywhere.
Admins: Can define, modify, and manage core roles.
All members: Can see and interact with core roles in their circles (based on their permissions).
Inactive users: Can be assigned to core roles but will only have view-only access.
💡 Use core roles to standardize circle structures and ensure consistent responsibilities across teams.
⚠️ Be strategic when editing core roles, especially in large organizations. Changes apply globally.
📌 If you're exploring new governance models, compare your current setup with Holacracy 5.0 to understand role alignment.
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What Is a Core Role?
A core role is a predefined role that appears in all circles across your organization. These roles are vital for the structure and effectiveness of each circle—they're responsible for upholding the circle’s purpose and ensuring operational success. Unlike regular roles, core roles have formal responsibilities and a systemic impact across the organization. They are part of the circle’s organizational architecture and are essential for enabling collaboration, governance, and coordination.
Holaspirit by Talkspirit automatically includes the following default core roles based on the Holacracy Constitution 5.0:
Circle Lead
Circle Representative
Secretary
Facilitator
📌 *Note:* If your organization uses a different methodology or has a custom definition of core roles, you can update these settings in your circle configuration.
How Are Core Roles Different From Non-Core Roles?
Non-core roles are all other roles within a circle. These roles still contribute to the circle’s projects and outcomes, but they’re not part of the core governance structure. While non-core roles can influence decisions and provide critical input, core roles carry formal authority and accountability in shaping how the circle operates.
📌 Core roles are automatically created in every existing and future circle. Removing a core role from settings will remove it from all circles—and any member assigned to it will be unassigned.
How to Define Core Roles
You can tailor your organizational structure by defining which roles should be core to your circles. To define core roles:
Go to Administration, then navigate to the Circles section.
Click on Circle settings.
Under the Core roles area, select the role templates you want to apply as core roles. Only roles created from templates can be designated as core.
Click Save to confirm your configuration.
📌 *Note:* Once added, a core role will appear in all circles. Deleting it from settings will remove it everywhere.
Who Can Use This Feature
Admins: Can define, modify, and manage core roles.
All members: Can see and interact with core roles in their circles (based on their permissions).
Inactive users: Can be assigned to core roles but will only have view-only access.
Best Practices / Tips
💡 Use core roles to standardize circle structures and ensure consistent responsibilities across teams.
⚠️ Be strategic when editing core roles, especially in large organizations. Changes apply globally.
📌 If you're exploring new governance models, compare your current setup with Holacracy 5.0 to understand role alignment.
Keywords
core roles, default roles, circle structure, Holacracy 5.0, governance roles, circle lead, facilitator, secretary, organization roles, Holaspirit by Talkspirit, define core roles
Updated on: 27/05/2025