EP 25: The Boundary Barriers of Leadership with Psychologist and Author, Alison Cook, PhD

  Boundary barriers become leadership barriers.   What gets in the way of setting and maintaining boundaries gets in the way of leading well.   Our polarized culture, along with so many demands on our time and energy, make it so important to get clear on what gets in the way of setting and maintaining boundaries…and what they are protecting.   Do you know what your boundaries are protecting?   You have to know why you are laboring through the work of setting and maintaining boundaries. Without this clarity and focus you will flounder and feel fed up–often giving up on your boundaries and yourself.   We get so focused on when and how people violate our boundaries that we lose focus on the reason we are fighting for them. This leads to boundaries becoming barriers - no longer protecting what is important: our time, our relationships, our wellbeing.   What helps you stay the course when you set boundaries? Your clarity of values and clarity on what your boundaries protect.   When you are clear on what you are protecting and fighting for, you have more confidence in navigating the work involved in setting and maintaining boundaries.   My guest today loves to teach and talk about boundaries.   Alison Cook, MA, PhD (http://www.alisoncookphd.com/) is a counselor, speaker, and the co-author of Boundaries for Your Soul (https://bookshop.org/books/boundaries-for-your-soul-how-to-turn-your-overwhelming-thoughts-and-feelings-into-your-greatest-allies/9781400201617). For over 15 years, Alison has helped women learn how to heal painful emotions, develop confidence from the inside out, forge healthy relationships, and fully live out their God-given potential. Each week, she encourages over 30,000 subscribers to her email newsletter and blog at alisoncookphd.com (http://www.alisoncookphd.com/).   In our conversation, Alison unpacks a powerful perspective on setting and maintaining boundaries.   Listen to the full episode to hear: * The ways navigating a blended family has influenced Alison’s leadership in all areas of her life * Getting clear on the stories that keep us from honoring our commitments to ourselves * The medical emergency that brought Alison to a deeper, stronger place in herself * And how bypassing short circuits the soul work of becoming a whole person   Learn more about Alison Cook: * alisoncookphd.com (http://www.alisoncookphd.com/) * Facebook @alisoncookphd (https://www.facebook.com/alisoncookphd/) * Instagram @alisoncookphd (https://www.instagram.com/alisoncookphd/) * Boundaries for Your Soul (https://bookshop.org/books/boundaries-for-your-soul-how-to-turn-your-overwhelming-thoughts-and-feelings-into-your-greatest-allies/9781400201617)   Learn more about Rebecca: * rebeccaching.com (https://www.rebeccaching.com/) * Work With Rebecca (https://www.rebeccaching.com/work-with-me) * Sign up for the Weekly Rumble Email (https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5ececca2ff83f400265bbaab)   Resources: * Internal Family Systems (https://ifs-institute.com/)