The Myth of the Selfless Servant: Why Boundaries Matter

In this episode of Burnout & Breakthroughs, we’re unpacking one of the most harmful stories in nonprofit culture: the idea that the “best” workers are the ones who give endlessly, asking nothing in return. From the Giving Tree to modern-day nonprofit workplaces, this myth teaches us that worth is tied to depletion, and it’s time to call that out.

We’ll explore where this narrative comes from, how it shows up in our daily work, and why setting boundaries is not selfish but essential if we want to keep caring without burning out.

Key Takeaways

• Why the “selfless servant” story is really exploitation dressed up as service
• How this myth harms not just individuals, but entire organizations
• The surprising power of boundaries to make generosity sustainable
• Practical scripts for setting boundaries at work (and what to expect when you do)

Full list of references and resources from this episode → Show Notes

Read the full blog post that pairs with this episode → The Giving Tree Problem: Why Nonprofit Workers Deserve Boundaries

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