Describing workplace teams as a family is troubling because it crosses the lines between working hours and interpersonal dynamics. Guilt, obligation, frustration, and loyalty get blurred in the mix. That can enable leaders to push their agenda and pit teams against each other because success shows you are dedicated to your teammates.
You can love your team, you love being part of a team, and you love how it feels to be considered part of one. The best thing you can do for yourself and your team is to set boundaries. Boundaries reflect our self-commitment to show up well and consistently prioritize our wellness and needs. If you give everything to your work team, you have little left for anyone else, which isn’t sustainable.
There is often an unspoken pressure to be seen as dedicated, always on, positive at all times and engaged. That benefits very few people and adds an enormous burden to your day. It’s ok to not feel positive all the time, and it’s ok to use all your time off. However, if we dig into this further, there’s not much basis for being promoted within a family dynamic because it upsets the natural order. Consider what is it costing you to be in a family-dynamic workplace and whether it is helping you where you want to go.
Instead, let's think of teams as nanobots. Nanobots are self-propelled and autonomous, operating within existing systems to improve and repair and change for the better. They have a purpose; they understand what they intend to do and why and stay true to it. That’s much more aligned with living empowered because when we feel we have a say in how our time, energy and effort are spent, we feel better about ourselves.
So, be a nanobot with boundaries. Every workplace will benefit.
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