Establishing Boundaries As A First-Time Manager

Lets talk about boundaries.... My first manager at Salesforce Jennifer Griffith told me - whatever you do, assert boundaries with your time here because a company in hyper growth mode will take every minute of time you are willing to give. And it was some of the best advice I have received because every time I found myself burnt out at work it, was because I had leaky boundaries around my time and the activities I valued. It's scary to assert boundaries at work - for fear of being left behind by the person willing to give up all of their time for their job. But if you spend time in a place long enough - you see the people who give up everything for work eventually burn out - because you can only pour from an empty cup for so long. Boundaries say a lot about a person..... 1 - Strong self-worth and self-motivation - If you can't commit to yourself and your own needs, you likely struggle to do it for other people. 2 - Energy and Motivation - If you have a strong commitment to the things in your life that fill your cup it means you are showing up to work with energy. 3 - Communication and confidence - Communicating boundaries is uncomfortable and one of the keys to growing is a willingness to have tough conversations. 4 - Work smarter not harder - You own your calendar, it doesn't own you - by having a very clear amount of time to work around your non-negotiables, it forces you to learn how to work smarter and organize your day for efficiency. And as a leader - demonstrating commitment to your personal boundaries gives other people permission to do the same. This creates a supportive and positive work culture. If you are burnt out - it's time to assert your boundaries. Start by committing to 3 things that you know energize you. Add them to your calendar and DO NOT MOVE THEM under any circumstances for 30 days. And set a reminder in 30 days to check in with yourself and see if your level of burn out has changed.

"You don't have to set yourself on fire to keep others warm." That quote saved my career. And it’s one every employee needs to hear. Most of us are afraid of setting boundaries. We fear disappointing others more than burning ourselves out. Think about that for a second. We'd rather: • Work through lunch (again) • Take that 10 pm call • Say yes to another project • Push our limits until we break To avoid risking someone being temporarily disappointed. The irony? Weak boundaries don't just lead to burnout. They breed resentment. They damage relationships. They make us less effective at the very jobs we’re trying to protect. Here’s what I’ve learned - both personally and professionally: Boundaries aren’t selfish. They’re essential. They protect your well-being, your career, and your energy. One of my favorite reminders: "Boundaries are the distance at which I can love you and me simultaneously." Effective boundaries look like this: 1. Define your role in writing. Document your duties, expectations, and any changes. 2. Communicate limits early and clearly. Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed. 3. Document overreach, shifting priorities, and extra demands. Keep a written record. 4. Watch for pressure tactics. “Team player” language often hides unreasonable asks. 5. Know when flexibility becomes exploitation. Helping occasionally is fine, but doing three jobs is not. 6. Use facts, not feelings. Anchor boundaries in workload, fairness, and documented expectations. You don’t owe anyone your exhaustion. You owe yourself clarity, strategy, and self-respect. Follow for more on how to protect your career without sacrificing yourself. #EmploymentAttorney #CaliforniaEmploymentLaw #EmployeeRights Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional legal advice. It does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Please consult a qualified attorney for advice on your specific legal situation.

If you’re not setting your own boundaries, Someone else will. When I started out as a manager, I thought “giving it my all” was always being available. I was worried that if I drew my boundaries, it would make me look uncommitted. I didn’t want people to assume I was the leader who was never around when the team needed support. So whenever someone asked for my time, I always said yes–a call after I’d left for the day, a text before I left for work in the morning, or an interruption during my work day. It was always a yes. But that left me overwhelmed, stretched thin, and always distracted.  I knew something had to change, and it had nothing to do with my team. I started small. Instead of dropping everything when someone interrupted me, I set clearer boundaries around when and how I could help. I was nervous thinking that what if they say me as the “difficult boss” or unapproachable. But what happened was surprising. When I started to communicate my boundaries, people began respecting my time more. Meetings became focused and more productive. Instead of endless back-and-forth conversations, we started having focused conversations. I was worried about losing trust, but I realized I started to gain even more with this approach. Here’s what I learned: Setting boundaries isn’t about shutting people out—it’s about creating clarity. When you communicate your boundaries with empathy and respect, people know exactly how to work with you. When you protect your time, you show your team the importance of protecting theirs. If you're afraid to set boundaries, here’s something to consider: The people who truly value you will respect your boundaries—and those who don’t aren’t adding value to you anyway. 🟢 If you’re struggling to master this shift and draw those boundaries, let’s chat. Just comment “UNLOCK” in the comments below, and I’ll personally reach out to you. Let’s unlock your potential.