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Rooting For Growth is more than a website and a blog. It is a companion that roots for you as you keep on growing and unlocking your potential. Out of the desire to reach people globally with ideas and concepts of enhancing their growth and potential. Rooting For Growth was born! You can read about me here.
In the meantime, feel free to look around and indulge in a post or two that really resonates with you. I won’t promise, but I can assure you – there’s a lesson, tip, take- a-way or something inspiring for you.
Alrighty, enough of the mushy stuff. Let’s get on with business.
In this post, we’ll address the crucial question of How To Set Firm and Healthy Boundaries in the Workplace.
While the place of work will vary significantly for many, one thing remains a constant variable – the workplace is the opposite of your leisure space and requires you to conduct yourself in keeping with established regulations and guidelines for the proper functioning of day to day tasks.
Sounds relatively easy right?
Well, considering you follow the tips below, setting firm and healthy boundaries in the workplace, should become much easier.
Grab your notepad, Here we go: How To Set Firm and Healthy Boundaries in the Workplace.
Know Your Job Description and Follow it
Have you ever stopped by a friend or gone to help a group responsible for executing an event, without having a clear idea of what you are to help with?
You may offer to help in areas that are already accounted for, or keep stalking persons just so you can help with anything if the need arises.
Maybe you’ve sat around doing nothing (you don’t want to get in the way right?) and felt uncomfortable about it. Awkward, I know.
In essence, there was no clear outline as to what you should have done or whether you were to do anything at all. So then, you run the risk of either spreading yourself too thin or becoming so focused on “helping around” that your help doesn’t add up to anything substantial since you are skipping from task to task.
Plus, there may be expectations of what you should do – but what good is that if you are unaware?
Therefore, it becomes clearer, that knowing your job description and following it, can save you a lot of inconvenience and awkward moments. When you know what is required of you at your workplace, you become empowered to function in your roll.
Likewise, you will know what tasks to prioritize, act on, and what tasks to consider as favours; when you’ll make time for them, and whether you will make time for them at all.
A key point to take away is that, some persons may request of you to do tasks outside of your job description – expecting you to drop even the very things required of you, just so you can fulfil their request.
Ideally, it is okay to be helpful at your workplace. However, ensure it doesn’t take away from your stipulated role (s). This takes us to the next important point.
Avoid Being A People Pleaser
This one stretches far beyond the workplace, but we’ll keep it relevant to the matter. People pleasing is one of those habits that is hard to shed.
Besides, many persons want to be likeable; to show their appreciation for a good done for them; to secure their names in the “good book” – and so, long before they can stop it – the habit of people pleasing creeps in.
In the workplace, you may be the “new kid on the block,” the one easily pounced on,” or, “the one who just never says NO” even when your stomach is wrestling with hunger pangs and you have an appointment soon.
There’s a thin line between favours asked of you with your best interest considered – and plainly, just being taken advantage of.
You owe yourself this pep talk: “I am not a robot. I am not a doormat either. I am a person of value, who holds the power of saying yes or no. My yeses must be in line with my values. They should be good for me. My nos must be in line with my values. They should be good for me. I should feel good about my yeses and my nos. I shouldn’t feel guilty, disadvantaged and burdened. And if I do, I have the right to say yes and the right to say no. This will liberate me. This will help me grow.”
– Fiona, from Rooting For Growth
Ward Off Inappropriate Jokes and Conversations
I highly recommend that you do this from the get go. From the very moment you realize others are bringing inappropriate jokes and conversations in your space, let them know you are not participating nor tolerating it.
Luckily, you don’t have to tell them outright (although that is highly suggested). You can opt to “ignore” the conversations or jokes. Avoid participating in them. Avoid encouraging the behaviour by looking away, not laughing, getting on with your task or excusing yourself from the space.
People are smart – at least, I hope they are. So they will pick up instantly that you are not accepting of the behaviour.
Good for you! You just scored a major goal in setting a healthy boundary at your workplace.
Here’s the flipside, if you are one of those persons who take inappropriate jokes and conversations to work, you might want to rethink doing so. And be especially mindful of those you share these jokes and conversations with.
Above all, respect people’s preferences and observe workplace policies.
Practice Good Conflict Management
Certainly, not everyone sees a 6. Some will see a 9. That’s normal.
Different folks. Different strokes.
So then, expect that at some point in time, conflict may arise at the workplace. The aim is not necessarily to avoid conflicts (they happen regardless) the aim is to settle conflicts well. A simple disagreement about who wants the central cooling unit lower or higher can be resolved without the need for malice.
In practicing good conflict management skills, it is important to note that each person, like yourself, are to be regarded with respect and dignity.
When you incorporate that into your value system, it becomes a little bit easier to resolve conflicts – knowing that the other person (s) are valuable too, and deserving of a fair outcome.
To add, remember that it is okay to admit a mistake and also to apologise where you are found in the wrong.
You may feel small for a few quick seconds but ultimately, it is an honourable thing to do and you’ll feel good about yourself. Chances are, your colleagues, customers or superiors may have new found respect for you.
So, what does this have to do with setting firm and health boundaries in the workplace? A whole lot actually.
When you equip yourself with good conflict management skills you border against fights, petty disagreements and the likes. That way, you set a healthy boundary that disallows bad conflict management.
This is particularly useful in work situations that have high stress levels and in situations where team work is crucial.
Keep Your Private Life Separate as much as possible
Pay keen attention here. Setting firm and healthy boundaries at work, in this case, may also mean setting firm and healthy boundaries at home.
Let your family know the contact number (s) for you workplace as they may need it at an important time.
Nonetheless, ensure it is used only when absolutely necessary. Settle home conversations using your personal devices and not those at your workplace.
Additionally, let your friends and even family know the appropriate times they may visit you at work, if they can visit any at all. Some workplaces like construction and mining sites may be out of bounds to unauthorized persons. If possible, you can schedule to meet on your break at a near by café or park.
The Workplace can be a Great Place!
Its true. Many persons find their work fulfilling and work in healthy, productive spaces. They set firm and healthy boundaries and still manage to enjoy their work and the people they work with.
It is possible for you too! So long as you set firm and healthy boundaries and carry out your tasks as required.
The good thing is – these little habits can be transferred to other areas of your life and incorporated in your value system too.
Before you Know it, your professional growth would have improved, and your personal growth too!
Who doesn’t love a well rounded Rooter? 🙂
So, there you have it, firm and healthy boundaries for the workplace.
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