How to Set Workplace Boundaries When Power and Safety Are at Stake | Episode 371 - Fragmented to Whole: Life Lessons from 12 Step Recovery | Lyssna här

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In this week’s episode 371 of the Fragmented to Whole Podcast, I’m talking about why workplace boundary advice can’t always be as simple as “just say no.” Workplace pressure isn’t the same for everyone, and not everyone has the same freedom to speak up without consequences. Sometimes the difficulty is coming from inside us, and sometimes the problem really is the environment we’re working in.

I share how being a fixer and overfunctioning shaped my own experience in toxic work environments, and how long it took me to recognize the pattern. We look at the difference between taking responsibility for what’s yours and taking the blame for something that isn’t yours, while also considering power, safety, workplace culture, financial flexibility and the realistic risks involved in setting a boundary.

Some of the talking points I go over in this episode include:

Why “just say no” can be overly simplistic and potentially dangerous workplace advice
How to distinguish between an old internal alarm, a current workplace risk, or a combination of both
Questions to ask about your role, the other person’s power, realistic risks, support and documentation
Why the next smallest safe step might be a direct no, a negotiation, a delay, documentation or quietly creating a plan to leave
How boundaries can help you recognize that a dysfunctional workplace is not necessarily a reflection of your personal failure

The goal of workplace boundaries isn’t to perform assertiveness or prove that you’re fearless. It’s to make conscious decisions that include your safety, values, livelihood and well-being. Sometimes staying whole means saying no, and sometimes it means pausing, gathering information, asking for support, documenting what’s happening or creating more options for yourself.

Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips on living a more whole life and to hear even more about the points outlined above.

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