How can you maintain personal and professional boundaries as a coalition organizer?

One effective strategy I've found for establishing boundaries is creating a How I Work document. Think of it like a user manual for your work preferences and thought processes. It massively eliminates the trial and error of working with others, especially new team members looking to understand your working style. I recommend including the following: A statement of purpose Your values Your style What to expect from you What you expect from them Communication guidelines Ways to help you develop Not only does this rapidly enhance team collaboration and efficiency, but it is also a powerful way of accelerating the building of trust within your team. I truly believe every leader would benefit from investing their time in drawing one up!

Absolutely. However, getting there can be tough. I believe it's about having an honest conversation with yourself in the first instance and the bravery to put yourself and or your teams first. Generally, humans don't want to disappoint and this makes the process of defining boundaries difficult for some due to the demands within a relationship. In my experience from working with clients on this very topic coaching conversations support the co-creation of strategies on how to achieve and deploy boundaries effectively whilst empowering the boundary setter, managing the engaging parties through clear transparent communication and equally importantly how the boundaries benefit all concerned. In essence the why and how.

I agree that boundaries are important and have seen and felt the impact when not in place. I learned personally in my earlier years and through my work that a lack of boundaries can lead to being a busy fool/headless chicken, which undoubtedly means objectives are missed. This affects and directly impacts one's sense of self, well-being, achievement, performance and how you engage with others, i.e. behaviours - usually out of character/negative. A vicious circle that boundaries disrupt and rectify. Confidence, self-belief, and self-esteem don't come naturally to all, hence, for some, creating them is a skill to be learnt, developed and nurtured.

Balancing boundaries while coalition building is a complicated challenge. Here are my top tips: - Recognize that not all boundaries are equal. Some are non-negotiable, such as those related to health, safety, or dignity. These should never be compromised. - Don't hesitate to lean on the wisdom of peers, mentors, or allies. Their feedback and support in assessing and refining your boundaries can provide valuable perspective and help you strike the right balance. - Consider joining or establishing a network of those in your role. Sharing experiences and best practices with others facing similar challenges can be empowering. Remember, prioritizing your boundaries is essential for your well-being and the integrity of your work.

One thing that works well when resistance is evident is communication. Resistance is usually an outcome of a lack of understanding. Express why the boundaries are in place and the benefits they bring for all concerned.