Boundary setting takes courage

Often, huge amounts of courage. Especially when we're setting boundaries at work.

Try picking up Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes by Dr. Sunita Sah. It's a rather intense read about boundary setting in truly complex, intense, and history-making situations. One of her (very American) examples: Activist Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a bus. 

Can you imagine the courage that would have taken? Dr. Sah outlines incredibly powerful acts of boundary setting. She discusses examples in which people:

• resisted pressure from peers, 

• declined conformity and cultural expectations, and 

• stood firm in their values. 

For us regular people navigating work environments, boundary setting may not be quite so history-making. And yet, setting boundaries at work still requires courage and tools many of us are still learning.

Drawing on history and plenty of psychological research, Dr. Sah discusses the forces that often drive avoidance of boundary setting in teams and organisations. She outlines how leaders can 

• sharpen their awareness of subtle pressures, 

• create cultures where questioning is safe, and 

• make decisions that hold integrity at their core. 

Setting boundaries can be the boldest form of service to your team, your organisation, and yourself.

If you're learning about boundary setting, Defy is both interesting and practical. It empowers readers to set boundaries, model authenticity, and create trust by standing for what truly matters. 

Because when we choose to set clear limits on what doesn't work for us, we also give others permission to do the same.