“Cooperation is the very essence of life. The secret of all success lies in the organization of collective force.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Holacracy is an approach to organizational management based on flexible, autonomous organizational structures, in which teams work collaboratively and self-organized to achieve common goals.
Creation of the Buurtzorg model
Buurtzorg Nederland is a home care organization that uses holacracy as a governance model. Established in 2006 by Jos de Blok, a Dutch nurse, Buurtzorg Nederland aimed to provide patient-centered care, focusing on the individual needs of each patient and offering a holistic approach to care.
Autonomous teams
In the Buurtzorg model, each team of approximately 10 to 12 nurses is considered an autonomous “cell” of the organization. Teams are responsible for managing their own work, making collective decisions about how they organize their work and manage their resources.
Continuous improvement
In this model, teams are encouraged to work independently, while remaining aligned with the organization’s goals. Teams are also held accountable for continually improving their own practice, regularly seeking feedback and identifying areas that require improvement.
Relations with patients
Buurtzorg teams focused on developing close relationships with patients, spending more time listening and responding to each patient’s individual needs. The model also encouraged patients to take an active role in their own care.
The team approach to care
Buurtzorg teams have adopted a team-based approach to care, in which nurses work together to provide holistic care to each patient. This teamwork approach also allowed nurses to support each other and share knowledge and skills.
The importance of continuous learning
Buurtzorg teams have established a continuous learning process, in which they regularly reflect on their practice and seek feedback from patients and colleagues. This allowed teams to identify areas for improvement and make changes to their practice.
International expansion
The Buurtzorg holacratic governance model in the Netherlands has enabled greater transparency and better communication at all levels of the organization. Teams are encouraged to share information and work cross-functionally to resolve issues. Buurtzorg’s success led to its international expansion. The model has been adopted in several countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Germany, Sweden and Japan.
The Buurtzorg model was developed step by step by focusing on individual patient needs, encouraging teams to work together and continually learn to improve home care. This model has been widely recognized for its success in improving patient outcomes and reducing health care costs.