Why setting work boundaries is the secret to empowering your team

Did you know that 63% of employees and 75% of the C-Suite report not taking enough time off and not taking enough breaks? 

In addition those who fail to establish boundaries can lose up to 70% of their team’s productivity due to burnout and lack of engagement? 

And honestly? It’s no shocker. We’ve all been there—glued to our phones on a Saturday afternoon, answering emails that could have totally waited until Monday, convincing ourselves that we’re doing it for the good of the team.

Since the rise of more and more teams are working remotely, the lines have become blurred for when the workday begins and when it ends.

In fact 45% of of remote workers report working even longer hours than they did before. 

Why? Because it's a lot easier to lose track of time when your commute is going downstairs instead of sitting in bumper to bumper rush hour traffic.  

It's also a lot more tempting to open your laptop "just for a few minutes" to respond to a few e-mails. 

Those "few minutes" quickly turn into a few hours and before you know it, you've lost the entire day. 

Here’s the hard truth: being available around the clock isn’t helping anyone, least of all you. So, let’s dig into why setting boundaries is actually the best thing you can do—for yourself and your people.

The "Available 24/7" Trap

You know what I’m talking about. It’s like you’ve become Pavlov’s dog, instantly dropping everything when you hear that “ding” from your phone.

You’re scared you might miss something important, or worse, that someone on your team might need you.So, you’re checking messages, answering emails at all hours, and basically never shutting off.

Believe me, I’ve been there—I’ve fallen into that exact trap. And it’s so easy to do, especially when you genuinely care about your team.

Before I started my coaching and consulting business, I spent 30 years in the highly demanding retail industry (which, by the way, is definitely a 7-days-a-week kind of gig). I felt like I had to be available 24/7.

To be honest, a lot of it came from guilt. I remember feeling unsupported early in my career, and I didn’t want my team to go through that.

So, I took calls at all hours and prided myself on my lightning-fast email responses. Let’s just say, I probably wore out a few phones and laptops in the process.

But that breakneck pace? It led to major burnout and a health crisis that forced me to take a step back and spend a "vacation" in the hospital.

The yellow grippy socks weren't exactly the souvenirs I had in mind, but then again neither was the pseudo "vacation." 

That’s when it hit me: I wasn’t just sacrificing my personal time with friends and family—I was draining myself dry and putting my health at risk in the process. 

Even worse, I was teaching my team to rely on me for everything.

Something had to change!

I learned the hard way that being accessible 24/7 didn’t make me a better leader—it just made me a cautionary tale.

I was setting a terrible example, basically telling my team that if they wanted to climb the ladder, they’d have to kiss their personal lives goodbye.

And seriously, who wants that?

By always jumping in to “save the day,” I was denying my people the opportunity to collaborate and tap into each other’s strengths.

Instead of empowering them, I was unintentionally holding them back.

Let’s Talk About Realistic Work Boundaries Examples

Alright, so you probably already know what boundaries are. But here’s the tricky part—sticking to them.

It’s not just about saying “no” to late-night emails or turning off your phone. It’s about giving yourself permission to step back and giving your team the space to step up.

Setting boundaries isn’t just for your peace of mind—it empowers your team and helps them grow into stronger leaders. So how can you actually do that?

Here’s 10 practical work boundaries examples to help you get started:

1. Clarify the 411’s and the 911’s
   Let your team know what’s an FYI (things that can be emailed or discussed in the next meeting) and what’s a true emergency that requires an immediate phone call. It sounds obvious, but trust me, it’s not!
2. Set Office Hours—and Stick to Them
   Establish clear working hours and be firm about them. If you're not dealing with a crisis, there’s no need to check emails after hours. Let your team know when you’re available for unscheduled calls and when decisions can wait.
3. Turn Off Notifications
   Do yourself a favor and turn off those after-hours pings. It’s a simple but powerful signal to your team (and yourself) that non-urgent issues can wait.
4. Delegate Decision-Making
   This one is a game-changer. Instead of being the go-to for every little question, encourage your team to make decisions within their scope. Start small—allow them to resolve certain issues without running them by you. This not only empowers them but helps build confidence and trust within the team.
5. Take Actual Breaks
   Yes, you deserve lunch. No, eating at your desk while answering emails doesn’t count. Block off time on your calendar for a proper break—and stick to it.
6. Say No (Without Guilt)
   Not every project is your project. Saying no doesn’t make you less valuable—it frees you up for the things that truly matter. So, try turning down one optional task each week.
7. Create a Team “Go-To” List
   Set up a system where your team knows exactly who to contact for specific tasks when you’re unavailable. This fosters collaboration and helps them become less reliant on you.
8. Schedule “No Meeting” Blocks
   Block off time each week for uninterrupted work. Let your team know that during this time, you won’t be available for impromptu questions. Watch your productivity skyrocket—and theirs, too!
9. Lead by Example with Vacation Time
   Don’t just tell your team to take time off—show them how it’s done. When you’re on vacation, unplug. Trust your team to manage without you, and they’ll rise to the challenge.
10. Empower Problem-Solving
    Instead of jumping in to save the day, ask your team how they would handle an issue before offering your input. This encourages them to think critically and take ownership of solutions.

Remember, setting boundaries doesn’t make you less available—it makes you strategically available. When you respect your time, you’re teaching your team to respect theirs too. Win Win!!  

When you respect your own time, you’re teaching your team to respect theirs too. And the best part? You’re building a culture of independence, collaboration, and leadership without sacrificing your sanity.

Listen, I know making these changes won't be as easy as flipping a light switch. It will take time and discipline, but the payoff is so worth it! 

Not sure where to begin? Let’s talk! 

 Book a free discovery call and I’ll help you create a personalized plan of action so you can start setting boundaries and finally get your life back.