Hey there!
I hope you've had a wonderful week.
I wanted to share something really interesting with you that happened last week. I was delivering a workshop on setting boundaries in the workplace, and one discussion really stood out.
In the session, there were three managers from the IT department of an agency, and we explored their experiences of being the "go-to" people in moments of crisis. They shared how, whenever something goes wrong, people come straight to them - not just to solve the issue, but to offload their stress, frustration, or panic.
In a way, they'd rather become the therapists of the office! They were there to listen, to problem-solve, and to absorb the emotional weight of others’ challenges. But this constant urgency and emotional loading come with a cost: their own energy, focus, and well-being.
We talked about how critical it is for them - and for anyone in a similar role - to set clear boundaries. This isn’t just about protecting their own mental health (though that’s a huge part of it), but also about giving others clarity around their process. It was clear that their role was a huge dance between balancing responsiveness with structure so that they don’t become overwhelmed by everyone else's constant urgency.
Here’s what I found most interesting: The IT team wasn’t just struggling with what they were doing, but with how it was being done. People weren’t simply asking for help; they were seeking emotional reassurance. And while empathy is important, it’s also vital to establish boundaries that allow managers to remain effective without draining themselves.
This conversation really got me thinking: How often do we blur the lines between roles and emotional support? And what happens when we don’t define where the boundaries should be?
How do you balance being approachable with protecting your energy? What strategies have helped you create clarity and boundaries in your role?
Setting boundaries isn’t about saying “no” to helping others - it’s about ensuring that when you say “yes,” you’re doing it with intention and sustainability.
Have a wonderful week as ever, friends.
Much love,
Cate x
Hey there!
I hope you've had a wonderful week.
I wanted to share something really interesting with you that happened last week. I was delivering a workshop on setting boundaries in the workplace, and one discussion really stood out.
In the session, there were three managers from the IT department of an agency, and we explored their experiences of being the "go-to" people in moments of crisis. They shared how, whenever something goes wrong, people come straight to them - not just to solve the issue, but to offload their stress, frustration, or panic.
In a way, they'd rather become the therapists of the office! They were there to listen, to problem-solve, and to absorb the emotional weight of others’ challenges. But this constant urgency and emotional loading come with a cost: their own energy, focus, and well-being.
We talked about how critical it is for them - and for anyone in a similar role - to set clear boundaries. This isn’t just about protecting their own mental health (though that’s a huge part of it), but also about giving others clarity around their process. It was clear that their role was a huge dance between balancing responsiveness with structure so that they don’t become overwhelmed by everyone else's constant urgency.
Here’s what I found most interesting: The IT team wasn’t just struggling with what they were doing, but with how it was being done. People weren’t simply asking for help; they were seeking emotional reassurance. And while empathy is important, it’s also vital to establish boundaries that allow managers to remain effective without draining themselves.
This conversation really got me thinking: How often do we blur the lines between roles and emotional support? And what happens when we don’t define where the boundaries should be?
How do you balance being approachable with protecting your energy? What strategies have helped you create clarity and boundaries in your role?
Setting boundaries isn’t about saying “no” to helping others - it’s about ensuring that when you say “yes,” you’re doing it with intention and sustainability.
Have a wonderful week as ever, friends.
Much love,
Cate x
