10.1 Communicate a boundary to an individual whose behavior is unacceptable to you. Select someone from your personal life (spouse, parent, child, best friend, or acquaintance) or professional life (coworkers, supervisor, or employee) who did or said something that bothered you. Arrange a two- or three-minute meeting with this individual and share your boundary with her. Complete this pre-meeting form before you meet with this person.

1. Who is this individual? ____________________________________________ 2. What behavior is unacceptable to you? ______________________________ 3. Construct your boundary statement. If you _________ , then I’m prepared to _______________________________________________________________ When you share your boundary with this person, provide some brief introductory remarks about the situation before you communicate your boundary. The purpose of the meeting is not to blame or punish, but rather to inform the individual what you fi nd unacceptable and what you are prepared to do if the behavior is repeated.

How did your meeting go? How did you feel composing your boundary statement?

How did you feel asking this person for a meeting? How did you feel communicating your boundary to this individual? How did the person respond? Have you noticed a change in the person’s behavior since your meeting? How can you incorporate boundary making into your small group?