KMPH FOX 26 | Central San Joaquin Valley News SourceMine, Yours and Ours: Responsibility in the Workplace

By Louise Bauer Davoli

Understanding how to set appropriate workplace responsibilities and boundaries helps to contribute to and foster healthy productive workplace settings. Individual tasks are easily defined when clearly articulated. However, too often job categories delineate work responsibilities in terms that are too broad and general.

False responsibility is when we take ownership for stuff that does not belong to us. For example, taking on other people's feelings, others and our own flawed assumptions about who is responsible for joint outcomes. Defining boundaries is an elusive idea in the workplace. When we can acknowledge "space", set limits, and establish acceptable behavior and autonomy are examples of workplace boundaries.

Generally, most of us have an innate ability to figure out what is in and what is out of our sphere of influence. However, our family experiences, doubts, unrealistic expectations, and pressure or anxiety sometimes blur our judgment. Ideally in the workplace, we behave in ways that facilitate our ability to make top-notch decisions and avoid the landmines of false responsibility.

Messy Responsibility Clues:

-No = guilt
-Shares TMI
-Avoids conflict
-Sponge

When workplace responsibilities and priorities have been clearly defined, it increases the likelihood that a group can operate successfully, even in the absence of its leader. If everyone on your team understands what to do, how to do it, and when to do it, then team members will feel safe in their roles. A smooth functioning department or team is a concrete demonstration of the manager's commitment to success, which cultivates trust within the group and among its members. It is the responsibility of every team leader to set the tone of the group by clearly defining acceptable and unacceptable workplace behavior.

Boundaries:

-Limits
-What you want
-Open communication
-Discuss and agree

Be clear about limits and objectives without over selling or exaggerating your abilities. The flip side of knowing your limits is being clear about what it is that you want. For example, have your list of priorities and goals so you can focus your energy on the priorities that add value to your workday experience. Pay attention to how the other person is receiving your communication and then ask for feedback. Pay attention and confirm your perspective of the other person's desires, interests and concerns.