🗓️ Episode Summary:
In today’s episode, Dr. Jeremy Pollack explores how to build and maintain healthy boundaries between friendship and professionalism in the workplace. It’s easy—and often natural—to form close bonds with coworkers, but without clear boundaries, those relationships can lead to favoritism, burnout, or blurred responsibilities. Learn how to protect your wellbeing while fostering authentic connection.

🔑 What You’ll Learn:

• Why workplace boundaries matter for mental health and team dynamics
  
  
• Five core practices to navigate friendships at work
  
  
• Hypothetical examples that illustrate what healthy boundaries look like
  
  
• A practical “Dos and Don’ts” list to apply right away
  
  
• How to maintain fairness, avoid drama, and still be a kind human
  
  

📌 Key Takeaways:

• Clear priorities prevent work friendships from interfering with job performance
  
  
• Oversharing can damage professional credibility—discretion is powerful
  
  
• Fairness in leadership and decision-making builds team-wide trust
  
  
• Off-hours communication norms reduce stress and emotional fatigue
  
  
• Everyone’s comfort levels with closeness differ—respect their boundaries
  
  

🧰 Tools You Can Use:

• Assertion phrases to protect your time and energy
  
  
• Communication templates for deflecting work talk outside of work
  
  
• A quick-reference Dos & Don’ts list for daily practice
  
  

💬 Favorite Quote:
“Boundaries aren’t walls. They’re guardrails that keep relationships from veering into discomfort, burnout, or conflict.”

Connect with Me

🌐 Website: PollackPeacebuilding.com

🌐 Dr. Pollack’s Courses: peacefulleadersacademy.com/courses/
📧 Email: support@pollackpeacebuilding.com
📱 LinkedIn: Jeremy Pollack

📣 Subscribe & Share:
If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a coworker or team leader. And don’t forget to follow Peacebuilding with Dr. Pollack on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode.

#WorkplaceBoundaries #HealthyRelationships #Peacebuilding #Leadership #ConflictResolution #WorkFriends #PsychologicalSafety

Host: Dr. Jeremy Pollack from Pollack Peacebuilding Systems

More from Dr. Pollack:

• Peaceful Leaders Academy
• Conflict Resolution Playbook: Practical Communication Skills for Preventing, Managing, and Resolving Conflict
• FREE e-book: The Ultimate 12-Step Guide to Coworker Mediation: Free Ebook - Pollack Peacebuilding Systems

Connect with Dr. Pollack on social media: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn