Maintaining Professionalism While Setting Boundaries

The paradox that transformed my leadership: The clearer the boundaries, the greater the freedom. In the SEAL Teams, we discovered this truth in the most intense situations. The missions with the clearest parameters created the most space for innovation and decisive action. Most leaders think boundaries restrict creativity and autonomy. They don't. They create psychological safety. When team members know exactly where the lines are drawn: → They spend less mental energy guessing → They make faster decisions with confidence → They innovate within defined spaces instead of freezing in uncertainty Without clear expectations and decision rights, teams get stuck in a fog of invisible boundaries they can't see but fear crossing. Try these three types of boundaries: → Decision boundaries (what they could decide without approval) → Risk boundaries (acceptable failure parameters) → Time boundaries (protected focus time vs. collaborative hours) Human connection will be strengthened and anxiety lessened. This applies to your mindfulness practice too. The discipline of sitting for just 10 focused minutes creates more mental freedom than an undefined "I should meditate sometime." Clarity creates space for growth. Freedom isn't the absence of boundaries. It's the presence of the right ones. What boundaries need clarifying in your leadership or personal practice? ----- Follow me (Jon Macaskill) for leadership insights, wellness tools, and real stories about humans being good humans. And yeah... feel free to repost if someone in your life needs to hear this. 📩 Subscribe to my newsletter here → https://lnkd.in/g9ZFxDJG You'll get FREE access to my 21-Day Mindfulness & Meditation Course with real, actionable strategies.

Your silence in the face of disrespect Isn't professionalism. It's permission. You spent years believing that "taking it" was part of climbing the ladder. You watched colleagues speak over you, Claim your ideas, And dismiss your contributions while you smiled politely, Thinking this was the price of advancement. You were wrong. The most respected professionals I know aren't those who tolerate everything. They're those who clearly communicate what they will and won't accept. 10 Power Moves after Being Disrespected 1. When someone undermines you publicly: "I'd prefer to discuss any concerns about my work privately first." → Establishes that your professional reputation matters. 2. When someone interrupts you constantly: "I'd like to finish my point, then I'm happy to hear yours." → Creates space for both voices without escalating tension. 3. When inappropriate comments arise: "That's not appropriate. Let's focus on the work." → Simple. Direct. Effective. No drama needed. 4. When your boundaries get bulldozed: "That doesn't work for me. Here's what I can do instead." → Stays solution-oriented while maintaining your limits. 5. When they push after you've said no: "I've already given you my answer on this. I'm not going to revisit it today." → Shows you won't be worn down by persistence. 6. When your ideas get dismissed: "Can you help me understand your concerns with this approach?" → Transforms dismissal into dialogue and forces substantive feedback. 7. When someone speaks condescendingly: "I need you to speak to me with the same respect you'd show other colleagues." → Names the behavior without attacking the person. 8. When someone takes credit for your work: "I'm glad you appreciate that idea. When I initially proposed it last week, I had envisioned it developing exactly this way." → Reclaims ownership without direct accusation. 9. When someone consistently devalues your time: "My calendar is a reflection of my priorities. I need advance notice to ensure your needs get the attention they deserve." → Establishes that your time has value without rejecting collaboration. 10. When they gaslight your experience: "That's not how I experienced the situation. Let's stick to the facts we can both agree on." → Reclaims your reality without escalating to conflict. Your boundaries teach people how to work with you at your best. Without them, you'll always be working at less than your full potential. The most powerful career move isn't working longer hours or taking on more projects. . . It's having the courage to say "this is how I work best" and standing by it. ❓ What boundary do you wish you'd set earlier in your career? ♻️ Repost to help others who are being disrespected. ➕ Follow Nathan Crockett, PhD for more.

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.  

Stop apologizing for setting boundaries at work. Stand firm with these 15 moves: I spent (many) years apologizing for needing focused work time, taking earned vacations, and saying no to draining commitments. Until I realized: Setting boundaries isn't about being difficult - it's about teaching people how to value you. Here are the exact scripts that changed everything: 1. Setting healthy boundaries in high-pressure environments ↳Use calendar color-coding to signal focus time vs. collaborative hours 2. Taking their full vacation time to prevent burnout ↳Schedule mini-breaks leading up to longer vacations for smoother transitions 3. Disconnecting completely during personal time ✨ ↳Designate a shutdown ritual (close all tabs, clear desk...) to end the work day 4. Declining meetings without clear agendas ↳Offer weekly Office Hours as an alternative to ad-hoc meetings 5. Asking for compensation that matches their value ↳Document revenue generated + costs saved by your work 6. Speaking up about unrealistic deadlines ↳Develop metrics based on past projects to accurately predict timelines 7. Prioritizing mental health over hustle culture ↳Create (and use!) quiet spaces designated for quick mental breaks. Lead by example here ✨ 8. Saying no to unpaid extra responsibilities ↳Try: "Thanks for thinking of me, let's discuss the value exchange" 9. Leaving toxic work environments without guilt ↳Write a Clean Exit memo for yourself - focus on your future plans, not past problems 10. Requiring work-life integration that works for them ↳Create Life-First Blocks, and schedule personal commitments before work ones (I do this every Sunday) 11. Standing firm on their expertise in meetings ↳Start responses with "Based on my experience handling X similar situations..." 🙌🏼 12. Taking time to think before committing to projects ↳Consider: "Would I want this on my plate a month from now?" 13. Protecting their team from unnecessary stress ↳Ask "Is this urgent, important, or interesting?" for every new task 14. Choosing growth over comfort zones ↳Design mini experiments to test new approaches and build confidence 15. Leading with empathy instead of authority ↳Spend 2 hrs monthly doing your team's most challenging tasks - share what you learn as a group ✨ Your boundaries are a blueprint for how you deserve to be treated. No apologies needed. Which boundary can you work on setting this week (without apologizing)? -- ♻️ Repost to boost your network's confidence 🔔 Follow me Dr. Carolyn Frost for daily insights on building confidence & setting powerful boundaries

How I Preserve My Sanity as a Program Manager at Amazon When I first started as a program manager at Amazon, I thought the key to success was being available 24/7 and saying “yes” to everything. It didn’t take long to realize that approach wasn’t sustainable. Setting boundaries became essential—not just for me, but for my cross-functional partners as well. Here’s what’s helped me: 1️⃣ Be Clear About Priorities It’s easy to get pulled in every direction. Now, when a new request comes in, I take a step back and evaluate it against current priorities. If it doesn’t align, I explain why or outline what trade-offs would be required. Being upfront ensures everyone is focused on what truly matters. 2️⃣ Protect Focus Time I used to let my calendar fill up with back-to-back meetings, leaving no room for deep work. Now, I block focus time and let my partners know that’s when I tackle the bigger, strategic tasks. It’s made a huge difference in my productivity. 3️⃣ Empower Cross-Functional Partners I used to feel like I needed to be involved in every decision. Over time, I’ve learned to trust my partners to take ownership in their areas. Empowering them not only speeds up progress but also strengthens our collaboration. 4️⃣ Communicate Clearly and Consistently Boundaries only work if everyone’s on the same page. I make sure to align on responsibilities, timelines, and deliverables early. Clear communication helps avoid misunderstandings and builds stronger relationships. Setting boundaries isn’t about doing less—it’s about making space to focus on what matters most. It’s been a game-changer for my work and my collaborations. How do you set boundaries in your role? #Leadership #ProgramManagement #Amazon #WorkLifeBalance