Setting Boundaries in the C-Suite

 Because balance is a good thing!

Let’s talk about BALANCE and BOUNDARIES.

Someone recently asked our founder, Maggie Olson, if a Chief of Staff needs to be “on” all the time? This was her response:

“The most successful I’ve ever been in a corporate role is the one I was able to cultivate the most work-life balance in. That is not a coincidence.”

Because balance matters. And someone can’t be the best they can be at work without appropriate boundaries to preserve that balance. Once you hit your groove, you’ll find that setting boundaries makes you much better at your job.

As the first CoS to a President at a Fortune 40 company, Maggie’s first CoS role, she was tasked with building her own position and creating, hiring, and leading a large team in her first year. This meant a lot of trial and error regarding working hours and expectations. Here are some insights from her experience on how to navigate boundary-setting in the C-Suite:

• There are going to be periods in a new role when you need to hit the ground running and just grind it out. Expect this, but plan for it to end.

• Plan to establish boundaries early when working for Senior Executives, and aim to settle into the balance over time.

• Ask tactful interview questions and learn from any resources you can about the team culture.

• Create processes for everything the team does. Document them, refine them, and refresh as needed. This will save you so much time.

• Put your boundaries into practice. Not every personal or professional boundary needs to be something you do “out loud.” It can be as simple as waiting until the next morning to respond to non-urgent, non-time-sensitive emails sent after you’ve closed your laptop.

• Maintain high engagement and excitement about the role and its potential. This is crucial to have a big impact over a sustained period of time.

Now that last part doesn’t come easily when overworked or facing burnout, and it can be challenging to find balance when you work for a company’s leaders. Consider this a challenge to level-up in your role while prioritizing your own personal needs and best practices.

Because you can meet high expectations and produce top-notch work without suffering from burnout, it just takes a little intention and some elbow grease. Similarly, times have changed and we’re seeing a shift in what it means to be “on” at work.

From Maggie:

“When I was in my early 20s, I used to think work ethic was about ‘butts in chairs’ from 8am - 5pm. If coworkers came in after me or had to leave early, I may have given them a funny look. It was just the culture many of us grew up in, and many of us are probably still in. 

But now at 37, with 20-plus years of experience leading teams and as a new business owner, that outlook has completely changed.

Work ethic, work expectations, and working hours should not be linear. And it’s probably better for our personal health and motivation if they’re not.”

Again, it’s all about balance. If you have a big launch coming up, then it’s time to rev up and hit those goals in potentially longer working hours. Remember there’s an end in sight to help you stay motivated. Just came off a big project? Plan to take a day or two off to slow down and even out the balance.

Your effort should match the expectations you have for the period you are in. Working hours will flex, and 8-5 butts in chairs are a thing of the past. So, stop worrying about external expectations and focus on your own! You’ll be better for it.

Need some guidance in navigating an issue around work-life balance? Nova offers single-session 1:1 coaching for when you need some quick consultation on a work-related matter. See this page for more info.