How to Establish Boundaries in the Workplace

Written By Valentina Roca, Dart Communication Contributing Author

Many of Heather’s clients come to her, overwhelmed with the challenge of navigating workplace boundaries. What are boundaries? How do we establish them effectively within the workplace? What boundaries are essential for individual and collaborative success?

Research in social psychology shows the dynamics and importance of boundaries in the workplace. Although being kind and giving can get you in the good graces of your colleagues, it’s important to not let the short-term benefits overshadow the long-term ones. The biggest ways we fall prey to short-term thinking when it comes to helping others is fear, whether that be a fear of disappointing people or one of looking selfish.

Fear makes us more likely to avoid pain now rather than optimize for long-term benefit. Because of this, we repeatedly say yes, which ultimately ends up in burn out, reduced performance, and more. A great way to maintain effective boundaries is to ask yourself: what action will most help the team in the long run? Many of Heather’s clients find it helpful to keep this question written on a post it note on their desk, a visible reminder to reinforce healthy boundaries and ease the fear of short-term pain.

But how do you implement these boundaries?

Start by putting yourself in your coworker’s shoes and discover what they need to succeed. When you seek to understand what your teammates are up against, it helps you learn how to work with them effectively and lets them know that you care. Some questions to help you understand your colleagues better are: “what challenges are you up against” or “what information do you need to do your best work?” Often when you’ve shown your teammates that you truly want to understand them, then they can proceed to set up some boundaries and it makes it easier for them to understand when you want to let them know where your optimal boundaries are.

Once you understand your audience you can begin to set up your own boundaries. When setting them up, it’s helpful to do so as an agreement for the greater good. Instead of saying “no I can’t do that,” state the “no” as well as the “why”. When you frame your “no” in terms of the bigger picture it helps your team understand. It also helps to set boundaries in “if, then” agreements. For example, Heather had a client that was having trouble getting drafts back from her team, preventing her from finishing her work in a timely manner. She told her team that if they get her their first draft on Monday, then she promised to get them feedback on Thursday at 9 am. This is an if, then agreement. She’s agreeing that if they promise to do something, then she will do something in return as per agreement of the boundary. She started getting drafts back in time!

Heather also coached another client through this boundary challenge when she was receiving relentless phone calls. She wasn’t getting any work done so she had to set up a boundary around phone calls. She told her team that if they promised to only call her without warning if it’s an emergency, then she promises to always pick up. Now that she set that boundary, she is getting less calls and getting more work done.

Once you’ve established the best way people can work with you, it enables you to be truly responsible for your own results. A great way to implement effective boundaries in the workplace is to start by understanding both you and your colleague’s needs. This practice helps build clarity and respect around boundaries and enhance productivity and both individual and collective success.