Are Your Boundaries Broken?

abovethelinethinking avoidance boundaries boundarysetting burnout conflict energy healthyboundaries leadershipdevelopment manager middlemanager selfawareness Aug 02, 2025

If you've ever found yourself answering "urgent" emails late at night or struggling to recall the last time you finished your own to-do list, you’re not alone.

Leadership is demanding, and the temptation to be constantly available can be overwhelming. But here's a reality check: constantly pushing your limits doesn’t make you a better leader—it just makes you a burnt-out one.

Let’s get real about why setting boundaries isn’t selfish. In fact, healthy boundaries are essential for effective leadership, high performance, and protecting your own passion for leading.

Five Signs Your Boundaries Are Broken

Are you overextending yourself? Here are the telltale red flags to look out for:

Decision Fatigue
You struggle to make even simple choices because you're constantly pulled in too many directions.
Losing Sight of the Vision
Your focus has shifted from big-picture goals to just surviving day-to-day—putting out fires instead of building the future.
Reduced Empathy
You find it harder to connect with and understand your team's needs. Emotional exhaustion makes you less compassionate and less available for your people.
Passion Depletion
Remember the fire that once drove you? If it feels like it’s fizzling out, your boundaries—or lack thereof—could be the culprit.
Avoiding Responsibilities
You start procrastinating or delegating tasks you should be handling, secretly hoping problems will sort themselves out.

Recognise any of these signs? You’re not alone—and you're not doomed! The first step is recognising the cost of broken boundaries so you can do something about it.

What No One Tells You About Boundaries

We've been sold a myth that great leaders are always available, say yes to everything, and never let their guard down. But real leadership power comes from saying "no" so you can say a more powerful "yes" to what really matters.

The painful truth: When you don’t set boundaries, you don’t just hurt yourself—you handicap your team. You teach them they can’t make decisions, they can’t be trusted, and that being constantly overwhelmed is “normal.”

The Boundary Breakthrough: How to Reclaim Your Power

1. Pause & Reassess
Burnt out? It’s time to reassess your limits. Take inventory. What are you saying “yes” to that is draining your energy? Which tasks should be delegated or dropped?

2. Implement Wisely
Don’t just blanket-block your calendar or mute your emails (tempting, though!). Instead, choose specific boundaries: no emails after 7 PM, daily deep work blocks, requiring your team to propose solutions—not just problems—when they ask for help.

3. Delegate with Purpose
Delegate wisely, giving your team room to step up and solve problems rather than waiting for your nod every time.

4. Prioritise Self-Care
Boundaries are only as good as your commitment to enforce them. Schedule your priorities first, and model that for your team. Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s leadership oxygen.

Boundaries in Action: Flip Your Script

Instead of “I’ll just do it myself,” try “Who on my team could take this on as a growth opportunity?”
Instead of “I can’t say no,” try “Let’s revisit our priorities so we’re focused on what matters most.”

Quiz: How Strong Are Your Boundaries?

Rate each statement from 1–5 (1 = Never, 5 = Always):

I feel overwhelmed or burnt out regularly.
I check emails and messages outside of work hours.
Team members come to me for decisions they could make themselves.
I struggle to find time for strategic thinking.
I feel guilty when I say no to requests.

20-25: Weak boundaries—time to reinforce!
15-19: Needs improvement.
5-14: Healthy boundaries in place!

Pro Tips for Leaders:

Run short weekly huddles to align team priorities (you’ll spot issues before they become emergencies).
Schedule monthly big-picture meetings to keep everyone rowing in the same direction.
Celebrate team wins (don’t just move on to the next fire to put out).
Model boundary-setting—your team will follow your lead.

The Power of Healthy Boundaries

When you protect your energy and prioritise strategically, you reclaim your passion for leading and give your team the independence and clarity they deserve. Boundaries don’t shut your team out. They let your best leadership in.

Start here:

Reflect: What’s the one boundary you most need to set this week?
Practice: Try it—then stick with it, even when it feels uncomfortable.
Share: Post your victories and strategies on social media, and tag a fellow leader who needs to hear this.
Engage: Have a conversation with your team about what healthy boundaries can look like for everyone.