You’re Doing Workplace Boundaries Wrong - Here’s What to Do Instead
When it comes to workplace boundaries, there are a few main things that will make setting them the most effective. It’s little surprise that communication skills are at the forefront of any boundary-setting need. Setting workplace boundaries might feel intimidating but it’s important for all of us to feel confident to look after ourselves. If you’ve been unsuccessful in your attempts to set boundaries in the workplace, Leadology has some tips for you!
How often do you feel pressure from colleagues to engage in frivolous gossip; accommodate last-minute requests; or even just commit to more than you know you have the bandwidth for? Listen, we’ve all been there; but it’s time to bring awareness to how we might be sacrificing our boundaries in the name of “loyalty” to our organization.
Your ability to communicate the boundary is ultimately what will contribute to its success
We’re never going to pass up an opportunity to bring a little Brené Brown wisdom into the mix––the thought leader describes boundaries as stating “what’s okay and what’s not okay.” Simply put, boundaries allow us to safeguard our own needs and wellbeing; strengthen relationships by building respect and trust; and foster a better sense of how we can show up for one another.
As straightforward as this sounds, much of the difficulty in setting boundaries lies in the ways that we communicate them. For instance, when we’re reluctant to assert our boundaries to others in the workplace, they may actually materialize as requests.
We love boundary coach Hailey Magee’s take on the difference between requests and boundaries in a recent Instagram post, she shares, “when we make a request, we’re asking someone to change their behavior in order to meet our needs; [but] when we set a boundary, we’re making clear what we will or will not tolerate. For example, “would you please lower your voice when you speak to me,” is a request and a boundary looks like, “I can’t continue this conversation when you’re yelling at me.” While incredibly nuanced, the distinctions between requests and boundaries––largely in how we communicate them––can ultimately make the difference in whether or not our needs are met.
Workplace boundaries done correctly will create a sense of freedom in our work
We may not immediately associate effective boundary-setting with our sense of freedom in our work; but when we lack boundaries or fail to communicate them clearly, we’re often bound by others’ wants and needs, particularly as women in the workplace. We’ve not only witnessed this happen to countless other managers but have experienced it ourselves; and that’s exactly why we’re sharing invaluable guidance from Jayne Hardy––author of Making Space and Founder and CEO of the mental health advocacy nonprofit The Blurt Foundation:
Be honest and explicit about your needs
When we communicate our boundaries without room for uncertainty or confusion, we’re ensuring that others are able to understand exactly what we need from them to do our best work. Better yet, when we model this behavior, we empower colleagues in doing the very same. With a collective understanding of the importance of boundaries in the workplace, teams can collaborate harmoniously without ever infringing on each other’s needs.
Come prepared with non-negotiables
Because boundary work is an ongoing process in our careers and lives as a whole, it’s always helpful to keep a list of our nonnegotiables as our responsibilities evolve, expectations change, and new boundaries are introduced. When we show up knowing what’s most important to us, we’re able to construct boundaries to support our biggest priorities, as opposed to letting them slip through the cracks of miscommunication or misunderstanding.
Be especially conscious of boundaries around remote work
For those of us who are hybrid or fully remote, there comes a greater need to separate your home office from the rest of your living space. When work distractions start to impede on personal time, it’s vital that we are conscious of the ways that we are respecting and enforcing our own boundaries to protect our time and space outside of working hours.
Further boundary support with Leadology’s workplace communication experts
At the end of the day, effective workplace boundary-setting is rooted in clear communication and understanding––not only with our colleagues, but also within ourselves. By fostering more clarity around the resources, circumstances, and support we need to do our jobs, the more likely it is that we receive them.
Ready to finally feel empowered by boundary-setting in your own organization? Leadology’s Dare to Lead™ facilitations have been centred around conflict being central to progress, and that leaning into difficult conversations creates possibility for everyone involved. To learn more about how Dare to Lead™ can help you and your team, click here to contact us.
