Establishing boundaries in a team

From time to time, I have the privilege of dedicating a few hours to work alongside a team, helping them align their expectations for working together effectively. Jane, (not her real name) a Team Leader reached out to me to facilitate a Team Charter session, ensuring that all her team members could voice their ideas and expectations. Jane described her team as having a close-knit, family-like atmosphere, characterised by mutual support. Everything was going well until we started on the exercise which focused on defining the team's values. It quickly became evident that an underlying tension existed within the group. Some of Jane's team members were uncomfortable being described as a "family" and believed that Jane had issues with maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. Ouch! In other words, Jane was not "staying in her lane." So, what happened next: 

• Jane handled this feedback extremely well and committed to improving her leadership style.
• She recognized the importance of upholding professional standards.
• Team members agreed to respect each other's personal boundaries.
• Balancing support and respect were emphasised. I call this calculated empathy.
• The professionalism discussion was challenging but strengthened team bonds.
• It clarified their shared values.
• The team left the workshop with a clearer sense of purpose.
• And they understood how to balance a "family-like" atmosphere with professionalism in their work environment. Plus by using assertive communication they are able to clearly communicate their boundaries.