Communicating Limits As A Leader To Avoid Burnout

76% of employees experience burnout at work. Not because they’re lazy But because they were taught: saying “no” makes you difficult. So they keep saying yes To more meetings. More last-minute asks. More “quick favors.” Until their focus is gone. Their energy is drained. And the work that matters most gets neglected. After 15+ years working with leaders across industries, here’s what I’ve seen again and again: Boundaries don’t break trust they build it. Here are 7 scripts to help you say no without guilt, conflict, or burning bridges: 1. “I’ve set aside time for deep work, so I’m holding the line on anything that might break that focus.” ↳ Protects strategic time ↳ Sounds focused, not dismissive 2. “This doesn’t align with where I need to focus this quarter.” ↳ Reinforces your priorities ↳ Signals intentionality, not avoidance 3. “I’d rather say no than commit to something I can’t give my best to.” ↳ Shows care and responsibility ↳ Protects your quality and reputation 4. “I’m being more intentional with what I say yes to and I have to pass on this.” ↳ Respectful boundary ↳ Signals growth, not guilt 5. “My calendar’s full this week, but I could give this proper attention if we revisit it next [timeframe].” ↳ Delays without dismissing ↳ Keeps relationships intact 6. “I really appreciate you thinking of me, I'm just not able to give it the attention it deserves right now.” ↳ Softens the no ↳ Validates the relationship 7. “I’m saying no to protect my energy this week but I’m rooting for you.” ↳ Prioritizes well-being ↳ Ends on warmth and support You don’t need to explain yourself to exhaustion. You just need better language. 🔁 Repost to help someone protect their time 👤 Follow Gabriel Millien for leadership tools that protect your time, energy, and focus 🔖 Save this for your next “I wish I could say no” moment

A Chief of Staff’s strength isn’t always being available.     It’s trusting themselves enough to step back.      As a Chief of Staff, your team and your leader relies on you… a lot.      You’re their go-to. Their problem solver. Their safety net.     The one who keeps things running even when they’re in back-to-back meetings, on the road, or deep in strategy mode.     But here’s the thing: you can’t be any of those things if you’re burnt out.     Boundaries aren’t about stepping away from your responsibilities. They’re about ensuring you can lead effectively when it matters most.     So, how do you set boundaries while keeping trust intact?     Start here:     🟡 Set Clear Expectations     ↳ Define your availability and stick to it. Communicate your “office hours” and when you’re off the clock.    ↳ Align with your exec on what truly needs your attention versus what can be delegated.     🟡 Define ‘Urgent’ Together     ↳ Not everything needs an immediate response. Decide what’s urgent and what can wait.    ↳ Protect focus by distinguishing between urgent and routine tasks.     🟡 Use Technology Wisely     ↳ Automate where possible. Set clear OOO messages and delegate tasks.    ↳ Turn off unnecessary notifications so you’re not distracted by things that can wait.     🟡 Lead by Example     ↳ Respect your boundaries, and others will too. Model sustainable leadership and make time for rest.    ↳ When you prioritize well-being, your team will follow suit.     🟡 Create a Handoff System     ↳ Build a capable team that can manage in your absence. Define clear roles and responsibilities.    ↳ Set processes that empower others to take over without confusion.     🟡 Retrain Yourself to Disconnect     ↳ Trust your team to handle things while you’re offline. The work will still be there when you return.    ↳ Rest is part of leadership. Recharge to be more focused and effective.     🟡 Reassess Regularly     ↳ Periodically check in with your team to see if boundaries are working or need adjusting.    ↳ Get feedback and stay open to adapting as your role or team evolves.     The best Chiefs of Staff don’t just manage chaos—they manage their energy.     Because when you set boundaries, you show up sharper. More focused. More effective.     So, say it with me:     “I won’t be checking email, so if you need anything, please give me a call.”     And then? Actually, disconnect.    In the comments: How do you set boundaries in a high-demand role?     ♻ Share to help spread awareness of the Chief of Staff role.       👋 Follow Maggie Olson for daily CoS & leadership insights.  

I see it all the time — the HR team ships branded yoga mats... While the VP of Sales still pings reps at 11 p.m. “Employee-wellness swag” doesn’t lower anxiety — boundaries do. Here's the harsh truth for senior leaders: Swag is easy. Swag is cheap. Real wellness is neither. Your employees don’t need another water bottle or stress ball. They need a goddamn permission to switch off. I once advised a tech giant which was spending millions on wellness initiatives, yet their turnover stayed stubbornly high. They couldn’t figure out why. But a quick glance at Slack said everything: - Leaders messaging at 10 p.m. - "Urgent" emails on weekends. - Unspoken expectation of 24/7 availability. Branded swag won’t fix broken boundaries. Here’s what actually reduces burnout: 1. Clearly define availability hours — and respect them. 2. Stop rewarding the “always on” culture. 3. Train your leaders to practice restraint, not urgency. 4. Give explicit permission for people to disconnect. Want to boost employee performance? Forget swag. Set boundaries instead. Because true wellness comes from respect... Not from a branded tote bag. P.S. What do you prefer? The yoga mats, or the clear boundaries?