Setting boundaries & ways of working
TYPE: SHARED JOURNALING
Use this exercise to explore each others’ ways of working preferences and boundaries. Before you begin, take a moment to reflect on this quote:
“Boundaries are the distance at which I can love you and me simultaneously. They might be, actually, the first and fundamental expression of self-love”
Does it resonate? What does this mean to you? What boundaries might you need to think about when moving into a co-leadership relationship? As well as ways of working, how might you need to establish boundaries when it comes to supporting one another vs seeking support elsewhere?
My ideal week, month and year
Individually think about your ideal week, month and year. What are your preferred working hours? How do your self-care practices fit into your work day? When do you take time off? Are you a morning person or a night owl? Where does learning and reading time fit in? How and when does time with your family or friends intersect with your working life? How and from where do you get support?
My ideal week involves…
My ideal month involves…
My ideal year involves…
ADDITIONAL REFLECTION WITH THE ORACLE CARDS
Draw 1-2 animal or plant cards that resonate with your ideal work week, month or year
What are the characteristics of the animal or plant that relate to your ways of working?
Draw the pairing card for each card you chose and reflect on the characteristics of the pairing card in relation to your written answers to the prompts
Our shared way of working
Share this with each other, noting any similarities or differences. Together with your co-lead, reflect on the following prompt questions:
How will you communicate day to day?
How will you respect each other’s work hours and preferences?
How will you balance time off and holidays? Will you tag-team on certain areas of work, handing over to each other?
Does your office close at set times throughout the year for rest periods and to minimise email disruption?
How often will you come together for regular check-ins, to share feedback, and for strategy planning?
Will this be virtual or in-person? If you are coming together in person, how will you carve out space for joy and friendship? Will you segment time for deeper culture building and reflection?
What do you need to communicate with your wider team about your boundaries and ways of working? Might it be useful to go through this activity with them too?
Consider writing this up into a ways of working agreement that can be referred back to throughout the year. You may also wish to share this with the wider organisation, so they are aware of your ways of working preferences, but also to encourage them to co-create similar agreements.
Balancing FOMO and JOMO
You might be familiar with the term, FOMO: the Fear of missing out. But are you familiar with JOMO? The Joy of Missing Out. As you reflect on your boundaries and potential opportunities that might arise that only one co-lead can take advantage of, what fears might arise? Can you visualise them? What does it look like? What might you say to that fear if you could talk to it?
Now can you reframe the situation and think about the benefits of missing out? Instead of visualising your fears, visualise something positive. What is a visual representation of the Joy of Missing Out? How might you express your gratitude to that image?
Use your journal to write or draw your reflections on these questions.
