Holding the Edge
Para visualizar o pôster desta semana em português, clique aqui: Semana 6: Limites para uma Liderança Sustentável
The “Always On” Mode
This week is about boundaries.
We can learn to read emotions, practice deep curiosity, and be fully present, but without boundaries, none of it holds. We often mistake boundaries for barriers, but they are actually edges. An edge is what stops us from drifting into a "yes" when we truly mean "no." It is the vital distinction between being genuinely kind and being merely compliant, or between helping someone and completely overextending ourselves.
We live in systems that quietly praise those who do "more"—more hours, more availability, more emotional labour. This praise often acts as a trap, turning our natural desire to contribute into a source of chronic guilt. These challenges shift throughout our lives; teenagers may struggle with the FOMO (fear of missing out), while older adults might find boundaries difficult when shifting independence challenges their identity. Ultimately, boundaries are not just about protecting ourselves; they are about respecting the edges of others too.
True sustainable leadership requires us to identify one boundary and practice holding that edge. It might be as simple as stopping emails after 9pm or finally saying what we actually mean. When we practice sentences like "I’m happy to help" or "I can’t be spoken to like that," we must pause and notice the internal reaction, whether it is relief, anxiety, strength, or guilt. Boundaries aren’t about becoming harder or more distant; they are about becoming clearer. Clarity, when held gently, changes everything.
One Boundary, One First Step
To begin drawing your edges with clarity and kindness, try this practice:
Identify the Boundary: Look at your week and pinpoint one specific area—whether it is related to your time, a decision, or an emotional or relational limit.
Write One Sentence: Clearly define this boundary in a single, simple sentence to give it shape and weight.
Take the First Step: Act on that sentence and hold the edge.
Reflect on the Difficulty: If holding this boundary feels hard, pause and ask yourself why that is.
The Check-in: Remind yourself that if you don't draw the edge, the system will eventually draw it for you—usually through the lens of exhaustion.