Let’s talk about boundaries!
Because here’s the truth: The most successful leaders aren’t the ones who do the most. They’re the ones who protect their time, energy, and focus.
And yet, for so many women, setting boundaries feels… impossible.
In fact, properly setting boundaries seems to be seen like a dark art!
Guilt kicks in.
That voice in your head tells you, “If I don’t do it, who will?”
The fear creeps up “What if I look difficult? Less committed? Selfish?”
But here’s what I’ve learned from coaching senior women for years:
The women who step into real leadership – the ones who grow, influence, and thrive – are the ones who master boundaries…and feel great about it!
Coaching Room Insight: When Boundaries Change Everything
A few weeks ago, I worked with a leader who was running herself into the ground. She was saying yes to everything. Taking on every crisis. Picking up the slack for everyone around her.
Her reason? “I don’t want to let anyone down.”
We peeled back the layers, and here’s what we found:
She wasn’t just overcommitting – she was afraid.
Afraid that if she said no, she’d lose respect.
Afraid that if she delegated, it wouldn’t be done “right.”
Afraid that if she stopped doing, she’d lose her value.
Sound familiar?
These fears weren’t real, they were the work of her saboteurs:
The People-Pleaser: Saying yes to avoid disappointing others (but of course she was saying no to her own needs).
The Controller: Believing it won’t be done properly unless she does it herself.
The Hyper-Achiever: Tying her worth to how much she does and achieves.
The Perfectionist: Believing everything has to be flawless (so everything takes sooo long to complete – and forget handing things over).
The Hyper-Vigilant: Feeling responsible for everything and fearing what will happen if she steps back.
Once she recognised these patterns, we made one shift:
She started making decisions based on her goals, not her guilt.
And suddenly? Work got easier. She reclaimed her time.
And shockingly – nothing fell apart when she set boundaries.
Golden Tip: Boundaries That Work
Next time you feel the urge to take on more than you should, ask yourself:
Would I say yes if I wasn’t afraid of disappointing someone?
If the answer is no…pause. Redirect. Protect your time.
Because every yes to someone else’s priorities is a no to your own.
Latest Research: Why Guilt-Free Boundaries Matter
Did you know that women in leadership spend 30% more time on “invisible work” than their male counterparts?
According to Harvard Business Review, senior women take on more mentoring, more emotional labour, more culture-building tasks; all unpaid, unrecognised, and unlinked to career growth.
Setting boundaries isn’t just about protecting your energy, it’s about making sure your time is spent on the work that actually moves you forward.
Win of the Week: When the Shift Happens
“I used to think saying no made me difficult. Now, I see it makes me a better leader. I’m finally getting recognised – not for doing more, but for leading smarter.”
— Claire, Finance Director
Claire is a client who’s made boundaries a cornerstone of her leadership style, and everyone is benefitting…her, her family, and her team!
One of the surprising benefits she’s noticed is that she’s able to be more present in what she does, which is building better relationships around her.
If you’d like to find out more about how i can help YOU…
You can book in a call here
