How to Defend Your Boundaries in a Team and Maintain Respect.

Working in a team is not only about achieving goals together, but also about complex interpersonal relationships. Sometimes colleagues (even without malicious intent) can violate your personal boundaries: overcontrol, expect you to work overtime, or simply ignore your opinion. How to cope with this and learn to protect your boundaries without ruining your relationships with others?

What are personal boundaries?
Personal boundaries are invisible "lines" that define what is comfortable for you and what is not. These are your rules and principles that are important to adhere to in order to feel confident and safe. At work, boundaries can concern time, space, responsibilities, and even emotional interactions.
Why is it important to defend your boundaries?
For your well-being. Constantly violating boundaries leads to stress, burnout, and the feeling that you are being taken advantage of.
For maintaining respect. When you set your boundaries, you demonstrate that you value yourself and your work. This motivates colleagues to treat you with more respect.
For productivity. Clear boundaries help avoid unnecessary conflicts and irrational use of your time.
How to understand that your boundaries are being violated?
Pay attention to the following signs:
You are asked to do work that is not part of your responsibilities, but you agree out of fear of saying "no".
You feel irritated when colleagues write to you after hours. Colleagues regularly take up your time: ask personal questions or distract you from work.
You feel pressured or guilty for defending your interests. If any of this sounds familiar to you, it's time to think about how to define and protect your boundaries.
How to defend your boundaries in a team? Define your boundaries. To protect your boundaries, you need to clearly understand where they are. Ask yourself: What is acceptable for me, and what is not? What actions of colleagues make me uncomfortable?
Where am I ready to be flexible, and where not? Define the boundaries clearly and calmly. Do not expect that others will guess what does not suit you. Take initiative and express your thoughts as politely as possible:
Instead of: "Don't text me on weekends!" Say: "I try not to work on weekends, so I'll answer on Monday."
Say "no." The word "no" is not aggression, but your defense. Come up with polite ways to refuse:
"I'm busy with another project right now, I can help later."
"This task is beyond my responsibilities, it's better to discuss it with [name]." Use "I" messages.
When you express your feelings and needs through "I" rather than blaming, it reduces the likelihood of conflict.
Instead of: "You always interfere with my work!" Say: "It's important to me that I can complete this task myself."
Don't make excuses. You don't need to explain every decision you make. Confidence in your position creates respect.
Instead of: "I can't stay after work because I have a family..." Say: "Unfortunately, I can't stay after work." Set boundaries in advance. If you outline your rules in advance, it will be easier for colleagues to respect them. Resolve conflicts constructively. If boundaries are violated constantly, discuss it with a colleague or manager. Maintain a positive attitude. Boundaries should not turn into a reason for aggression. You can be firm and respectful at the same time. Yours, Maria.