B.R.A.V.I.N.G.

Boundaries look like this…

• “You respect my boundaries, and when you’re clear about what’s okay and not okay, you ask. You’re willing to say no” (Brown, 2018, p.225).

• Allows people to say "no" (Brown, 2018).

• Sets clear expectations and encourages healthy behavior where boundaries are clearly communicated and respected on both sides.

Reliability looks like this…

• “You do what you say you’ll do. At work, this means staying aware of your competencies and limitations so you don’t overpromise and are able to deliver on commitments and balance competing priorities” (Brown, 2018, p.225).

• You can count on yourself to follow through and do what you say you are going to do.

• Research consistently seeks validity and reliability, especially in the context of trust and relationships. In terms of trust, reliability means repeatedly following through on promises and commitments. Reliability is like a scale that shows the same weight every time you step on it-true reliability is about consistently aligning actions with words (Brown, 2018).

• In our professional lives, reliability requires being clear about our limitations to avoid overcommitting and failing to meet expectations. The same principle applies in our personal lives: setting realistic boundaries ensures we consistently fulfill our commitments.

Accountability looks like this…

• “You own your mistakes, apologize, and make amends” (Brown, 2018, p.225).

• You hold others accountable.

• Trust is built when individuals take responsibility for their mistakes, offer sincere apologies, and work to make amends. 

• I can only trust you if you’re willing to acknowledge your errors and make efforts to correct them, demonstrating self-awareness and accountability.

Vault/Confidentiality looks like this…

• “You don’t share information or experiences that are not yours to share. I need to know that my confidences are kept and that you’re not sharing with me any information about other people that should be confidential” (Brown, 2018, p. 225).

• Keeps information or experiences private unless they have permission to share, focusing only on what is relevant to the person and their context. 

• I trust that what I share with you will remain confidential, just as I will hold in confidence what you share with me.

• You stop other people from sharing inappropriately.

Integrity looks like this…

• “You choose courage over comfort. You choose what is right over what is fun, fast, or easy. And you choose to practice your values rather than simply professing them” (Brown, 2018, p.226).

• Trust is eroded when people fail to act with integrity. I cannot trust you if you do not lead from a place of integrity.

Non-Judgement looks like this…

• “I can ask for what I need, and you can ask for what you need. We can talk about how we feel without judgment. We can ask each other for help without judgment” (Brown, 2018, p.226).

• “Asking for help is a power move. It’s a sign of strength to ask and a sign of strength to fight off judgment when other people raise their hands. It reflects a self-awareness that is an essential element in braving trust” (Brown, 2018, p.229). 

• In a space of non-judgment, I can openly struggle, ask for help, and know you won’t judge me; likewise, you can seek help and lean on me without fear of being judged. 

• You show empathy.

• You practice non-judgment with yourself.

Generosity looks like this…

• “You extend the most generous interpretation possible to the intentions, words, and actions of others” (Brown, 2018, p.226).

• Approaches others with the "Generosity of Assumption" mindset, believing that people operate with the best intentions.

• You actively listen to others.

• You have compassion towards yourself and others.

• You talk to yourself with kindness and respect.

• You have self-trust and hold yourself accountable where you might be falling short (Brown, 2018, p.235).