The most important first step when it comes to preventing escalated situations is having a good sense of personal and professional boundaries when doing the work.

As we reported with the original Harm Reduction hacks, Harm reduction leaders continued to report that having good boundaries is key to many areas of their success. Most saliently, they help prevent escalated situations in harm reduction spaces because they prepare one for what happens when boundaries are transgressed,

Many harm reduction leaders talked about the need to have healthy boundaries around their work life and the things they will and will not accept. Many spoke to the fact that boundaries did not come naturally to them but that learning them had been critical to doing their best work. Some tips for developing better boundaries include:

• Learn to recognize your own needs and listen to your intuition.
• Know your values and what integrity looks like to you.
• Recognize that knowing and communicating your boundaries shows respect for self and others.
• Let your values and intuition help you define your boundaries.
• Set consequences for folks who transgress your boundaries.
• Communicate your boundaries.
• Stay the course and be consistent.
• Recognize that other folks’ crises and issues are not yours and let them go.
• When possible, work with a professional like a coach or therapist to help you develop better boundaries.