Boundaries are key for culture

Boundaries For Leaders: Results, Relationships, and Being Ridiculously in Charge

By Dr. Henry Cloud

Sometimes, life can feel out of control. More specifically, sometimes, leaders feel out of control of their business and the culture. Dr. Henry Cloud shares a story early on of a leader struggling with this kind of culture. When Dr. Cloud asked him to describe the culture he would like to have, he began to describe the kind of place many people would love to work. When Dr. Cloud asked him why not create that kind of culture, the leader had a breakthrough moment. He said, “You know, when you think about it… I am ridiculously in charge.”

That is what this book is about. The concepts will help you lead in your relationships and help you create the results you want. How does it work? You accept that you are ridiculously in charge. 

When someone hears this thought, they might fight back against it. To understand what Dr. Cloud is saying, you first must understand the definition of boundaries. In his book with John Townsend, Boundaries, they explain, “Boundaries define us. They define what is me and what is not me. A boundary shows me where I end and someone else begins, leading me to a sense of ownership.” 

While things outside of your boundaries do not belong to you, what is inside of your boundaries is within your care. So to be a great steward of what is within your defined space is to accept you are ridiculously in charge. This leads to a brilliant line from Dr. Cloud, “As a leader, you always get what you create and what you allow.” 

The book then details how to position your brain and your team’s brains to succeed again and again. Cloud’s formula is to help people attend to what is important, inhibit distractions, and build a working memory so you can continue forward in this process. “When leaders lead in ways that people’s brains can follow, good results follow as well.”

For leaders who feel overwhelmed by their current situation, this book is a gift that will help you unlock your own potential, as well as your team’s potential. You can trust these proven principles from Dr. Cloud. Will the change you want happen overnight? No. The good news is that you are ridiculously in charge.