If respect is derived from a shared understanding and honor between two people for what’s acceptable and what isn’t, then at its core, respect is about setting strong, good boundaries. That means first being clear about what’s okay and what isn’t. Then it means communicating those boundaries clearly.
When someone crosses your boundaries, the normal reaction is anger and resentment. Oftentimes we find ourselves resentful because we haven’t verbalized those boundaries to the other person. Whether you are afraid to speak up or you simply were no clear about expectations, when you haven’t communicated the boundary to the other person, it is a problem that you can fix. It will take courage if you don’t like speaking up, but it is necessary. While it certainly does not apply to all women, many women struggle with setting boundaries because it makes them uncomfortable, it doesn’t feel ‘nice’, or they are afraid of what others will think. But boundaries actually empower you to have strong relationships. Boundaries set expectations and an agreement about what is okay in the relationship—and what is not. It is healthy. And for any successful relationship, personal or professional, it is necessary.
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