Distressed friend demands help: Even support systems need clear boundaries. Demanding emotional labour without consent violates the Principle of Reciprocity and drains energy. We move from Corrupted Code (Force) to Clean Code (Power).

Scenario: A friend is in crisis and demands immediate emotional support late at night, despite repeated hints the recipient is busy. The friend replies:

❌ Corrupted Code (Force):
"I need to talk right now, I'm having a crisis. Just drop what you're doing, I can't handle this alone." (Demands immediate, non-consensual labor, ignoring the recipient's boundaries.)

✅ Clean Code (Power):
"I'm having a crisis and need support. Are you in a good space to talk for a few minutes now? If not, please let me know when might work for you tomorrow." (Asks for consent; respects the recipient's agency and energy.)

The difference? The second message respects the recipient’s energy system. What boundary can you clearly state today?

#SystemsLeadership #EmotionalLabor #Reciprocity #CleanCode