We talk a lot about communication and boundaries for our personal lives, and a lot of those same principles can be applied to our professional relationships, too. Self-advocacy is universal, but it's also so personal, y'all. Join us as we unpack that.

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:

Self-advocacy and setting boundaries in professional relationships [1:20]

• Some leaders, especially people of color, seem unaware that they can advocate for themselves

• Scott’s story of how he realized that he has the right to advocate for himself 

• Being a team player DOES NOT mean you can’t say no 

• Most organizations prioritize their interest over your well-being, so make sure to look out for yourself 

• Setting boundaries around your time to prioritize self-care and avoid burnout and overcommitting 

Ways to set boundaries at work [17:37] 

• Clearly communicating your availability to protect and honor your time (e.g. putting a sign on your office door) 

• Remembering that people can overstep your boundaries only if you let it 

• Putting guardrails around how you spend your time (i.e.putting Slack notes to notify people of what you’re currently doing) 

• Setting goals with your team as a way to also respect their time 

The haze of setting boundaries at work [21:15]

• Some people struggle with understanding boundaries 

• Having conversations about setting boundaries could be difficult

• Asserting boundaries can sometimes make you feel like you’re being mean 

• Setting boundaries with a peer could be manageable, but doing so with your superior can be hard 

• Having a “ruinous empathy” rather than offering to meet halfway 

• The fear of being replaced to prove your enoughness

Navigating the haze [43:44]

• Getting the support that you need 

• Asserting your boundaries in a respectful way 

Biggest lessons [45:06]

• You can’t advocate for others if you can’t advocate for yourself 

• People will do what you allow them to do—it’s a disservice to both you and other person 

  
  

RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:

Listen to Pardon by T.I. and Lil Baby

Radical Candor by Kim Scott

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