Poor hubby a guy on Marta wasn’t happy with him for stepping on his feet!
Why is it important to respect boundaries in the workplace?
Respecting boundaries in the workplace is important because it provides everyone with the conditions they need to be successful in their position. Everyone has their own personal and professional boundaries for what makes them feel comfortable at work. When people identify their expectations for how they want others to treat them at work, following those requests shows that you care about their well-being. Some of the benefits of being respectful to others on your team include:
What is stepping on toes at work?
The phrase “stepping on toes” refers to interfering with someones responsibilities or causing frustration with your actions. In the workplace, stepping on someones toes usually involves taking credit for a project or assuming authority over duties that belonged to another person. For example, consider a situation where your manager assigned you to all sales accounts in one city and gave your colleague all accounts in another city. If you came into work and discovered that your colleague answered a sales call from one of your residents instead of sending them to your voicemail, you may consider that to be unfair.
Every workplace and team dynamic has different expectations about what kinds of interactions are acceptable. Some teams regularly trade responsibilities and share credit for successes, while others have clearly defined roles and may not appreciate when people unexpectedly do tasks outside of their job description. Understanding the norms and culture on your team is important for being respectful and acknowledging everyones contributions.
How to address boundary issues in the workplace
Here are several steps you can take if youre in a situation where coworkers cross your boundaries or dont fully appreciate your contributions:
1. Consider the context
When youre having challenges with boundaries at work, its important to understand the context. If youre having a problem with a specific coworker, you may use a different strategy than if the entire team has a culture of being competitive and seeking individual growth over team success.
You can also think about any past interactions youve had with a particular coworker. Reflect on your own actions and think about when your boundary issues with your coworker began. If you may have disrespected a coworkers boundaries in the past, its possible that their current behavior is a reaction. A genuine conversation or apology may be the best way to resolve the issue.
2. Identify the type of behavior
Next, think about the type of boundaries that your coworker is having trouble with. An eager coworker may accidentally be too helpful with your projects and leave you with too few assignments. Another colleague may be excited to share their thoughts in a meeting and not realize that theyre limiting the amount of time you have to speak.
Identifying the specific behavior thats bothering you can help you approach your coworker with a solution to solve the problem. It also gives you the chance to reflect on an appropriate boundary or expectation for how you want others to treat you at work. Write down the behavior, how it impacts you and what kind of change you want to see.
3. Advocate for yourself in the moment
Whenever possible, advocate for your well-being during interactions with your coworkers. This shows your colleague that you have a boundary and sets your expectation for future behavior. Being firm but polite shows that you care about them treating you with respect at work.
Consider a situation where a colleague constantly critiques your work on a graphic design project. The next time they approach you with unsolicited advice, tell them that you want to focus on your work and they can schedule a meeting if they want to discuss design strategies. If a colleague interrupts you, explain that you werent finished speaking.
4. Be gracious and appreciative
Another strategy for addressing your colleague is by showing appreciation for their perspective. Although someone crossing your boundaries at work can be frustrating, they may have good intentions. Many people simply want to be helpful or are excited about accomplishing their own goals. Here are a few examples of ways to ask for respectful treatment while also showing appreciation for their assistance:
5. Remind them of your official duties
When talking to your colleagues about your expectations in the workplace, try reminding them of your job description. If someone regularly attempts to take credit for your work or asks to complete your assignments, talk to them about the scope of your position.
Remind them that as a team, its both of your responsibilities to give one another the opportunity to succeed in your roles. Explain that you want the chance to fulfill your position, just as you want to provide them with the space and freedom to do their duties. This establishes a mutual respect and culture of fairness that many people appreciate.
6. Affirm your expertise
Reminding your colleagues that youre qualified for your position can help you establish boundaries in your role. Affirming your expertise and explaining that youre capable of being successful independently can guide your colleagues to focus more on their own assignments. When someone seems too involved with your work, try using phrases like:
7. Set a clear boundary
If you have ongoing issues with a coworker, ask to meet with them so you can set a clear boundary. Explain to them that you want to have a positive working relationship with them, but you feel that you cant be fully successful in your role in your current situation. Describe how their actions impact your workplace experience, including your performance on the team. Establish a clear boundary, such as only giving advice on your work when you ask. During the conversation, mention examples of the behavior you want to end and provide solutions of what you prefer instead.
8. Ask for their reasoning
Consider asking your colleague for the motivation behind their behavior. Understanding why they do certain things can help you develop more productive solutions together. You may learn that they didnt realize their actions had an impact on you or that they wanted to collaborate more because they value your skills. Having an honest discussion and giving them the opportunity to share their perspective can also ensure that you have a positive working relationship after your initial conversation. It shows that you arent simply critiquing their personality but want to collaborate for a workplace that makes you both feel comfortable.
9. Seek advice from management
When youre unable to solve boundary issue on your own, talk to your supervisor for assistance. Ask them for advice on what to do when someone on your team interferes with your workflow. They can provide specific techniques to employ, supervise workplace interactions more closely or rearrange the team environment to help you be more productive.
Tips for building supportive work relationships
Here are a few tips you can use to create and grow supportive relationships with your colleagues:
FAQ
What do you do when someone step on your toes at work?
It can be a stressful and uncomfortable conversation to have, but if your coworker is constantly stepping on your toes, you need to let them know. Remember to be polite, but stern, and use specific examples in your conversation so it’s clear to the coworker what you’re talking about.
How do you not step on people’s toes at work?
- Decide Today To Assert Yourself. Make the decision right now and start practicing being assertive. …
- Communicate Openly and Honestly. Engage in open and honest communication. …
- Believe In Yourself. …
- Demonstrate Caring for Others. …
- Agree to Disagree. …
- Control Emotions.
How do I not step on my boss’s toes?
What to say to a coworker to stop micromanaging?
