Setting boundaries with your boss is about doing what matters without burning yourself out. Ryan and Erny break down how to set boundaries respectfully, stay consistent, and protect your time without damaging trust or credibility.

In this episode of Leading Ain’t Easy, we talk about one of the most common leadership traps: being so responsive and available that you accidentally teach people your time doesn’t matter.

We unpack:

• How to set boundaries without sounding lazy or “bare minimum”
• Why consistency matters (and why moving your boundary teaches people it isn’t real)
• The difference between your boundary being the problem vs your environment being the problem
• Tools that help: scheduled send, clear framing (“something else has to give”), and simple expectation-setting
• The hidden issue for high performers: getting punished with more work
• What happens when boundaries collide with real deadlines (and why you need backup systems)

Listener question: What’s one boundary you know you need, but haven’t set yet?

“Leading ain’t easy, but you don’t have to do it alone.”

Leading Ain’t Easy is hosted by Ryan Calkins and Erny Epley.

• Ryan is the founder of Reframe & Rise, a career and leadership coaching practice helping veterans and other professionals realign their work and lead with purpose.
• Erny runs Bus Pro Network, supporting school transportation leaders across California with training and development.

Subscribe to the show on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for clips, prompts, and behind-the-scenes updates.

If this episode resonated, please leave a review, as it helps more leaders find us.