Table 7 Identified themes in creating and maintaining adaptive space

Informality over formality

Be flexible

- Preference for informal sense making, psychological contracts and personal interactions

- Formality as life jackets

- Accept restrictions and be pragmatic

- Stay in the present moment

Keep the action moving!

- Dare to be vulnerable

- Be proactive

Shared action space

Put the relationship central

- Familiarity

- Chance encounters and on-going activities

- Be empathic/generous

- Sociability

- Listening