Setting Boundaries At Work
I am an International Coaching Federation-certified life coach at the ACC level, as well as a Professor at Westminster University. I completed my coach training at Coach U, and my PhD in Mathematics at the University of Chicago. I founded Inner Harmony Coaching in 2020. I help women find their authentic voice, believe in themselves, and succeed.
Setting boundaries at work can be challenging, especially at first. If you have never done it, it won’t come naturally for a while. Consider writing a script and practicing it in advance. Make sure it doesn’t sound defensive. You have a right to set boundaries. Make the script fairly short. Below are some sample scripts that might help you figure out your own:
🔸 Getting Too Many Last Minute Requests
“I appreciate your trust in my abilities, but I’m currently prioritizing [task/project]. Can we revisit this request next week?”
🔸 Declining Additional Work
“Thank you for considering me for this opportunity. However, my plate is full at the moment. Is there someone else who might be available to take on this task?”
🔸 Addressing Micromanagement
“I value your input, but I believe I can handle this task independently. I’ll be sure to update you on my progress.”
🔸 Deflecting Office Gossip
“I prefer not to talk about others who aren’t around to share their perspective. Let’s focus on our work and maintain a positive work environment.”
🔸 Protecting Personal Time
“I understand the urgency, but I already have commitments this evening. I’ll address this first thing tomorrow morning.”
These may feel a bit uncomfortable the first time you say them, so you can work up to these by being more informal and conversational.
With practice, being assertive in setting boundaries and advocating for your needs at work will begin to come naturally.
