"Touchstones are our operating guidelines for holding the meaningful conversations of inner work and trust building. They form strong boundaries for interactions and are designed to disrupt the typical hierarchy and power dynamics often seen in workplace conversations. These touchstones can also be adapted to define how you work together with integrity and trust in an organization, community, or network – inviting the best of each person to show up and contribute. . . .

"Take a moment to soak in these ideas; find someone to compare notes with about these different ways of relating to yourself and to others.

"Each touchstone alone is an admirable idea. You could devote a day to noticing how it shows up in your life or work; you could meditate on each one for a week or a month. The magic and mystery of this collection of practices comes from the chemistry of how they combine to catalyze trust.

"Together, these touchstones create a hospitality 'container,' one that enables people to show up with integrity and authenticity so that they can engage in honest conversation. I use the word container consciously. How do we create containers that hold people – relationships, corporate culture, community – accountable? How do we hold people with regard and respect? For that, good ground rules are needed, and that's what the touchstones are. Here I've included a short version of them to start. . . .

Touchstones at a Glance

"1. Give and receive welcome.

2. Be present as fully as possible.

3. Extend invitation, not demand.

4. Speak your truth in ways that respect other people's truth.

5. No fixing, saving, advising, or correcting each other.

6. When the going gets rough, turn to wonder.

7. Practice asking open, honest questions.

8. Attend to your own inner teacher.

9. Trust and learn from the silence.

10. Commit to and maintain confidentiality.

11. Know that it's possible for the seeds planted here to keep growing."