Holaspirit by Talkspirit Glossary of Terms
Holaspirit by Talkspirit uses specific terms to describe how your organization is structured and governed. Understanding these terms helps you navigate the platform and participate effectively. This glossary explains key concepts you’ll encounter when mapping your organization or collaborating with your team.
Key Terms Explained
Purpose
The why behind a role or circle. It states the intention or mission that guides their work.
Circle
A group of roles working toward the same purpose or topic. Think of circles as semi-autonomous teams. Circles can have their own accountabilities and even be roles themselves, expanded to include sub-roles when complexity grows.
Role
The core building block of your organization. Each role has a purpose, accountabilities (responsibilities), and members (role holders). Roles clarify who does what and who decides what.
Accountability
An ongoing responsibility of a role—the work expected to be done.
💡 Tip: Write accountabilities as full sentences starting with an -ing verb (e.g., “Writing and publishing blog content”).
Domain
A defined area controlled exclusively by a role or circle. For example, the Website Manager role owns the domain “Website content,” meaning they control that area unless permission is granted to others.
Scope
If a role has multiple members, scope clarifies who is responsible for what part of the role. For example, geographic areas like “French leads” or “German leads” for a Business Developer role.
👉 Learn more about member scopes
Member
A person in your organization, identified by their profile and the roles they hold.
👉 Learn more abour members profile
Governance
The explicit, written rules that define circles, roles, purposes, accountabilities, domains, and policies. Governance evolves as your organization adapts. The Governance menu helps you explore your org chart and related elements.
👉 Learn more abour members profile
Policy
Rules that allow or restrict others from acting within a domain. For example, a policy might allow the Content Manager to publish on the website even though the Website Manager owns the domain.
Core Role
A special role within a circle, such as Facilitator or Circle Lead, often responsible for coordination or representation. Common in decentralized governance models like Holacracy or Sociocracy.
Elected Role
A role whose holders are elected for fixed terms.
👉 [Learn more electing an elected role]()
Tension
A perceived gap between current reality and potential improvement—an opportunity for positive change.
Proposal
A suggested change to governance or roles, brought forward by a circle member during or outside meetings.
Inactive Member
A person in your organization who doesn’t need full platform access—useful for external partners or freelancers.
👉 Learn more about inactive members
Transversal Role
A role invited into another circle to contribute on a one-time or ongoing basis.
👉 Learn more about transversal roles
Updated on: 21/05/2025