Boundaries + Courage = Love
Boundaries. For many of us, this is a loaded word. It triggers fears of being viewed as selfish, unaccommodating and even unlikeable. It can also prompt resentment in those overwhelmed by the thought of setting boundaries instead of naming what they need.
We all know that having boundaries in work and life is healthy and necessary, but our relationship with boundaries is complicated. Let’s face it, setting boundaries requires vulnerability and often some change – two concepts that are not the most popular with many of us.
However, as Brené Brown says, “Daring to set boundaries is about having courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others.”
I can still feel my discomfort from two years ago when I told my family I was not hosting the big, traditional Thanksgiving dinner everyone had grown to love and expect. I had spent months helping my mother approach the end of her life. That was followed by planning a memorial service and executing her estate, not to mention managing the strain and exhaustion that comes with loss while maintaining life’s day-to-day responsibilities.
I’d arrived at a point where I was simply done with all the doing. I was spent. It was a tough conversation for sure. I mean, my family is great but I was CHANGING. UP. THANKSGIVING! In the end, everyone leaned in and owned a piece of the day, and Thanksgiving for the Johnston-Owens-Gladson clan ended up as lovely and love-filled as ever. Some new traditions were born, including turkey hats, chicken pot pie instead of turkey, (well, maybe not every year) and PJs all day.
The good news is there are learnable skills and techniques for boundary-setting conversations that make the process more productive and positive for all involved. And most of the time, people appreciate both the clarity and the rarity of having someone actually ask for what they need.
If you want to develop your boundary-setting muscles in order to be more successful this year, consider joining our complimentary morning workshop in Denver on March 10, (details are below).
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GG
Learn How to Set Boundaries on March 10
Join us from 7:30 to 9:30am on Tuesday, March 10 at 77 W 9th Ave, Denver, CO 80204 in Denver to learn how to set and communicate your boundaries in ways that bring clarity and respect instead of frustration and resentment. This complimentary event will include networking, coffee and a light breakfast from 7:30 to 8am. The formal program portion will be held from 8 to 9:30am. Register here to participate.
Showing Love This Time of Year
As an annual tradition, we use February as the month to express our deepest gratitude for all of those with whom we work. We truly love the work we do and we’re only able to do that because of each of you. To those who trust us to support you and your teams, and for those who support us, we thank you.
Our Public Dare to Lead Workshop is Filling Up
Throughout the past year, we’ve worked with dozens of leaders within client organizations to build courageous leadership skills through Dare to Lead™ training. Here’s what just one person had to say after having recently gone through the training with a small group of their team members:
“GG and Abbey created an environment of trust and openness that truly allowed us to fully engage, learn, share, have difficult conversations and support each other. They were incredibly knowledgeable and demonstrated their passion for this work. They worked individually with each participant to make sure he/she had questions addressed and felt supported. It was an incredibly impactful experience.”
Join us this spring for our next two-day Dare to Lead™ workshop on April 7 and May 8 at the Moxy Hotel in Denver. You can join at our exclusive rate if you register by March 2. This is one of the few times this year that we’ll be offering this training to the general public.
Based on Dr. Brené Brown’s groundbreaking research on courageous leadership, the workshop will give you a set of actionable tools and techniques you can use from day one to become a stronger, more effective leader through vulnerability, trust and authenticity. It’s the ideal workshop if you want to achieve your full leadership potential and help your teams do the same.
Celebrating a Big Accomplishment
On Feb. 6, we got all dressed up to celebrate GG as she was honored as one of Colorado’s 2020 Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Business by the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Every year, the Chamber selects women based on their leadership excellence, commitment to mentoring and community activism. It’s a stellar group of leaders who inspire us every day, which makes us especially honored by this recognition.
