Description: Have you ever found yourself solving a crisis you didn’t create? Taking on tasks you never agreed to? You’re not alone. In this episode, Michael explores the subtle but powerful difference between being trusted with a responsibility and being taken advantage of under the guise of delegation. With the help of Stoic philosophy, emotional intelligence, and classic leadership thinking (including the legendary “Who’s Got the Monkey?” article from Harvard Business Review), we unpack how and why we end up carrying burdens that aren’t ours. And more importantly, how to stop. In this episode: A real-world story about workplace boundaries gone blurryQuotes from Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and Seneca on protecting your time and energyInsights from Stephen Covey, Greg McKeown, and Brené Brown on priority-setting and empathyThe emotional intelligence skills that help you say no, with gracePhrases you can use to draw healthy boundaries at work and in life Takeaway: Delegation is a sign of trust. Dumping is a misuse of it. The difference lies in how you respond. Your time, energy, and emotional bandwidth are valuable—guard them wisely. 🛠️ Resources & References: “Management Time: Who’s Got the Monkey?” by William Oncken Jr. and Donald L. Wass, Harvard Business ReviewThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen CoveyEssentialism by Greg McKeownDaring Greatly by Brené BrownStoic quotes from Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and Seneca

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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