How to Say No: Boundary Setting for the People-Pleasing Techie - THE FIREWALL

In this episode we discussed the importance of setting boundaries and effective time management, particularly for people working in the tech industry and introverts.

- Establishing personal values, priorities, and understanding the difference between organisational and individual goals is crucial.

- Boundaries are not about building walls or saying "no," but rather about creating psychological safety and empowering others to express their needs.

- The episode highlights the challenges of dealing with "toxic" people who lack empathy, and provides strategies for navigating such situations:
    - Avoiding engagement, maintaining a paper trail, and self-care.
    - Staying focused on the goals; not getting sidetracked.
    - Framing tasks and responsibilities in a way that gives them meaning and purpose.
    - Practicing weekly and daily planning, and "do, delegate, or ditch".
    - Getting comfortable with discomfort and having difficult conversations.

- The discussion emphasises the need for leaders to create an environment where employees feel empowered to express their boundaries.

References and Links:

- Gillespie, David. Toxic at Work. HarperCollins, 2023.
- Gillespie, David. Taming Toxic People. Penguin Random House, 2017.
- Kerr, James. Legacy: What the All Blacks Can Teach Us About the Business of Life. Constable, 2013.
- Stone, Douglas, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen. Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most. Penguin Books, 2010.