Helping businesses attract and retain diverse talent
Helping businesses attract and retain diverse talent
Remote work promised freedom. No commute. More flexibility. Space to think. And for many leaders, it delivered those things—at least at first.
But here’s the quiet truth: leading at a distance can slowly erode the very boundaries that keep us effective. The pings and messages never stop. The “quick call” becomes the third in a row. And somehow, home starts to feel like one long meeting you can’t quite leave.
This isn’t about rejecting remote work—it’s about recognising its hidden costs on leadership presence, energy, and balance.
Why Boundaries Blur Faster at a Distance
When we lead in shared spaces, boundaries are physical. You leave the building, the day ends. But in remote leadership, presence is invisible—and absence can be misread. Leaders overcompensate with constant availability, thinking it signals commitment.
Instead, it often breeds exhaustion—for you and your team.
Three Signs Your Remote Leadership Boundaries Are Slipping
– You’re always “on” – answering messages at all hours, even when it’s not urgent. – Meetings dominate your day – with no room left for strategic thinking or recovery. – You feel subtly guilty for logging off – even when you’ve done more than enough.
These are early warning signs of emotional fatigue—and they’re more common than we admit.
Boundaries aren’t barriers. They are the structure that lets you show up fully, without burning out. Here’s how to rebuild them—wherever you lead from.
1. Redefine “Availability” Availability is not the same as accessibility. Set clear response windows. Protect focus time like you would an important meeting. Let your team know when you are truly present—and when you are recharging.
2. Model Digital Discipline If you send emails at midnight, your team learns that’s normal. Use delayed send. Turn cameras off when they’re not needed. Demonstrate that balance isn’t just allowed—it’s expected.
3. Build Rituals of Closure In the office, leaving your desk ends the day. Remotely, you need a conscious “switch-off” ritual—whether that’s a walk, a change of clothes, or physically closing your laptop. Endings matter.
4. Protect Energy, Not Just Time Energy drains faster in digital work. Factor in pauses between meetings. Take calls while walking. Step outside. Protecting your energy is as vital as protecting your calendar.
5. Create Culture, Not Just Connection Check-ins are valuable, but culture grows from shared values, not just shared Zoom calls. Regularly revisit team purpose, celebrate wins, and anchor to something bigger than the to-do list.
When leaders operate from balance, teams follow suit. Remote work can magnify burnout—or it can magnify trust, autonomy, and wellbeing. The difference lies in how intentionally we lead it.
“Boundaries are not selfish—they are the scaffolding that lets leadership stand tall.” — Professor Laura Serrant
Remote leadership isn’t about being everywhere, all the time. It’s about being fully there when it matters—and fully away when it doesn’t.
To explore values-led, person centred approaches to leadership coaching, or resources to help you lead with clarity and self-care, contact me on laura@lauraserrant.com.
Because sustainable leadership doesn’t end with where you work. It starts with how you lead yourself.