Setting Boundaries Without Guilt

Many leaders are drowning in interruptions.

Whether it’s a Slack ping, a “got a minute?” hallway convo, or back-to-back meetings, most leaders operate in a state of constant task switching—which is costing them a lot. 

According to research from UC Irvine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to return to deep focus after an interruption—and that’s just one. Leaders are interrupted more frequently than any other role (Source).

Interruptions aren’t just annoying—they’re productivity killers. And without boundaries, leaders unintentionally model a culture where interruptions are the norm, you become the bottleneck and YOU get burned out.

Why Boundaries Matter More For Leaders

Saying "no" or "not now" isn't about being rigid—it's about protecting your time, attention, and energy so you can lead intentionally.

Here’s what happens when you don’t set boundaries:

❌ You become a bottleneck for decision-making.

❌ Your focus gets scattered, and so does your team’s.

❌ You set an unspoken rule: responsiveness > results - when in reality, it doesn’t.

---

5 Ways To Set Boundaries

Throughout four one-on-one sessions, employees work directly with a Raise the Bar coach to:

1. Block Deep Work Time—And Protect It: If it’s not on your calendar, it doesn’t exist. Use “Focus Time” blocks and actually honor them. Research shows this can drastically reduce task-switching fatigue.

2. Normalize Saying “Not Right Now”: You don’t have to say “no” forever—just “not right now.” Redirect the request to a better time or ask for written context to respond later. Check out the Eisenhower Matrix to help you prioritize tasks and projects in seconds.

3. Model Status Cues: Set your Slack (or similar software) or calendar status to “Do Not Disturb” and explain why to your team. It builds a culture of focus instead of franticness.

4. Limit Meeting Creep: Boundary-setting starts with reclaiming your schedule. Ask yourself - Does this need to be a meeting? Can it be an async update?

5. Reconnect With Priorities Weekly: If everything feels urgent, nothing is important. Reset your own calendar & with your team weekly: What matters most? What can wait? What can get removed from the priority list?

Our blog on the Eisenhower Matrix will help you prioritize tasks like a pro.

Leaders: Remember, Your Team Follows Your Lead

When you set healthy boundaries, your team learns to do the same. You model a culture that prioritizes focus over busyness, clarity over chaos, and energy over exhaustion.