When to Say Yes, When to Say No, A Leader’s Guide to Boundaries (part one)

I realised, slightly to my surprise, that we had never recorded a dedicated episode on boundaries. Considering how often this shows up in my work with leaders and HR professionals, it felt well overdue. So this is part one of a deeper exploration into how boundaries shape the way we lead, grow, and protect what really matters.In this episode, I share a simple systems theory lens to help you think about rigid boundaries, overly permeable ones, and what a healthy, semi permeable boundary looks like in practice. If you have ever found yourself people pleasing, absorbing everyone else’s stress, or feeling cut off from feedback, this one is for you.Highlights:(02:08) Why boundaries kept resurfacing in my leadership work(04:12) A simple systems theory lens to understand organisations as ecosystems(06:35) What rigid boundaries look like, and how they quietly limit your growth(08:24) The hidden cost of being too permeable, and saying yes to everything(11:05) Strategic filtering, how to build a healthier leadership membrane(13:42) Three powerful questions to reflect on before our next episodeConnect with Emma:LinkedInWebsiteThis Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio