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How To Establish Healthy Work Boundaries As A Leader

Grace Christos

Maura Thomas

  Boundaries are a prerequisite for healthy relationships. And without healthy relationships, there are no successful leaderships. Boundaries are a form of restriction, separating oneself from another to minimize conflicts.
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Boundaries are important to:
  1. Prevent burnout
  2. Protect and grow a relationship
  3. Enjoy freedom
Simple ways to set boundaries as a leader

  1. Identify Your Priorities

Be conscious of what is most important to you and highlight them. It could be your faith, family or work. This helps you know who and what you can cross certain lines for. Your priorities should be worth it and have over time earned your trust.

  1. Work With A Schedule

It is not enough to identify boundaries, have a schedule that reflects your priorities. This can be seen with the time allocated to these activities.

  1. Manage Your Notifications

Sometimes, there are legitimate reasons that can get you distracted from your goals. You might need to turn off notifications of social media apps, unnecessary emails, calls and messages that could steal your attention and render you ineffective.
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  1. Communicate

This is one of the most important parts of your job as a leader, and is also required when setting work boundaries. You need to communicate your boundaries to your team and everyone you work with. Let them know when to reach you, when to send emails and when you are most accessible. This helps them define their expectations and also, takes away any unrealistic expectations. You also will not feel bullied to do certain things you normally wouldn’t when you communicate effectively.

  1. Realize That Saying NO Is Fine

You will not please everyone no matter how nice you might seem. But it is one word that will always pay you forward. The truth is, you won’t feel good for turning down different people and offers, but you will be more effective for it. You will also be able to function and work on your own terms when you say NO as frequently as you ought to.

  1. Be Deliberate About Taking Time Off

It may seem tempting that your absence will affect your work and team, but taking time off is one of the best ways to benefit your team maximally. Don’t let vacation time build and you never get to go on one, instead, see your time off as a benefit for your team. See it as a time to get refreshed, energized and excited about your work and team. Communicate the benefits of your time off to your team so you are further encouraged to go on your vacation and trips, and the next time you show up, you are your best self, fully rested and recharged. Above all, seek wisdom from other leaders you admire greatly and learn how to lead your team in the best possible ways. Learn how to introduce boundaries to new hires and enforce it as a culture in your team. Also, teach your team members to establish such boundaries for themselves so a conducive environment is created to the benefit of all. Featured Image Source: Maura Thomas
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