A friend used the term "boxed out" to describe a place on a team she was familiar with. Essentially the team had boxed out one of its members by withholding most communication and utilizing negative communication for what was left. The individual who was "boxed out" had some choices to make. She could work to unmake the "box," she could simply leave the team altogether, or she could surrender and stay in the box.
Why do people get "boxed out?" There's a myriad of right answers for that questions, and if you do get "boxed out," I think it's important to explore those reasons. Is it better to leave the "box" when this happens? Again, I don't think there's a right or wrong here, but instead a call to reflect on the situation and come up with the best course of action.
When reflecting on the situation, it's important to describe specifically what that "boxing out" includes. Then think about what aspects of the situation you're willing to live with and what won't work at all. Then either recreate the "box" in a way that satisfies you or simply move away from the situation altogether. Onward.
