Episode 107: How to Set Boundaries with Your Team, Clients and Yourself

Mar 12

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Conquering Workflows & Systems for Bookkeepers & Accountants podcast with Alyssa Lang, founder of Workflow Queen and Magnetic Profits. Episode topic: How to Set Boundaries with Your Team, Clients and Yourself.

In this solo episode, Alyssa Lang covers the importance of setting strong boundaries for leaders in the bookkeeping and accounting industries. Alyssa emphasizes how boundaries foster structure, clarity, and respect within your business, highlighting the benefits of saying no, defining roles, and promoting accountability to create a healthier and more sustainable work environment.

In this episode you’ll hear:

Why setting boundaries is essential for business growth
How good leaders use boundaries to protect time, energy, and space for themselves and their teams
What strategies to implement for effectively setting boundaries with clients and team members
How to empower your team by shifting responsibilities and avoiding being the bottleneck

Resources mentioned in this episode:

💻 Breakthrough for Bookkeepers & Accountants

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Let’s be real…boundaries get a bad rap. People think that saying no makes them unhelpful or selfish, but the truth is, boundaries are the key to sustainable success. Without them, you’re setting yourself up for burnout, resentment, and a business that runs you instead of the other way around.

I know this because I learned it the hard way.

Back when I was still figuring things out, I said yes to everything. Every client request, every team question, every late-night email. I thought I was being a great leader. Spoiler alert: I was actually just exhausted, overextended, and constantly putting out fires.

But once I started setting boundaries with my team, my clients, and even myself, everything changed. My business ran smoother, my team became more independent, and I finally felt the freedom I started this business for in the first place.

Now? I say no more than I say yes. And my business is so much better because of it.

So, let’s talk about why boundaries matter, how good leaders use them to protect their time and energy, and what strategies you can start using today to set boundaries with clients and team members, without feeling guilty.

Oh, and if you’re ready to start implementing boundaries in a way that actually works for you, we cover this in-depth inside Breakthrough for Bookkeepers & Accountants—so be sure to check it out.

Why Boundaries Are Essential for Business Growth

If you feel like you're constantly answering emails, fixing team mistakes, or saying yes to every client request, there’s a reason: you haven’t set (or enforced) clear boundaries.

And when you don’t have boundaries, here’s what happens:

Your business can’t scale – If everything depends on you, you’ll always be stuck in the weeds.
Your team won’t take ownership – If you’re always available to answer questions, they won’t learn to solve problems on their own.
Your clients will expect unlimited access – If you answer emails at 11 PM, they’ll expect that every time.
You’ll burn out – Without boundaries, you’ll always feel overworked and overwhelmed.

I was that business owner. The one who thought, If I don’t do it, who will? The one who checked emails at all hours, answered Slack messages at dinner, and never took a real break.

But the truth is, if your business relies on you to function, you don’t have a business, you have a job. And probably one that’s paying you less than you deserve.

When I finally put the right systems, team, and boundaries in place (which is exactly what we do inside Breakthrough, BTW), everything changed. My team became more independent. My clients respected my time. And I actually had space to think and breathe again.

How Good Leaders Use Boundaries to Protect Their Time and Energy

Boundaries aren’t about being unavailable. They’re about being intentional with your time and energy.

Here’s what I’ve learned about leadership:

Boundaries create structure and clarity – No more mismanaged expectations.
Boundaries empower your team – When you stop micromanaging, your team steps up.
Boundaries increase respect – The right clients and team members will appreciate them.
Boundaries help you scale – Because let’s be honest—you can’t grow if you’re answering emails at 2 AM.

And most importantly: Good leaders say no more than they say yes.

Every time I say no, I’m actually saying yes to something that truly matters, whether that’s my team leading without me, better work-life balance, or just being able to close my laptop at a normal hour.

How to Set Boundaries with Your Team (Without Feeling Like a Bad Boss)

I get it…saying no to your team feels hard. You don’t want to seem unavailable, unapproachable, or like you don’t care. But let me tell you something:

Your team will actually respect you more when you set clear boundaries.

Here’s how I set boundaries with my team:

Clearly define roles and responsibilities – If your team doesn’t know who owns what, they’re going to default to asking you. That’s a problem.
Stop being the bottleneck – If you’re answering every question, your team will never learn to problem-solve. Instead of giving them an answer, ask: “What do you think we should do?”
Set response time expectations – You do not have to be available 24/7. Let your team know when you’re available and when they should expect a response.
Lead by example – If you’re answering messages at all hours, your team will assume that’s normal. (I schedule my Slack messages for work hours so I’m not setting the wrong expectation.)
Hold team members accountable – If someone consistently crosses boundaries, address it. It’s not mean—it’s leadership.

I have a team member, Mackenzie, who is the queen of boundaries. She knows exactly when she’s available and when she’s not. And you know what? I respect her more because of it.

If you struggle with team management and setting boundaries, Breakthrough covers all of this (and more).

How to Set Boundaries with Clients (Without Losing Business)

Client boundaries are hard because you’re afraid of losing business. But let me tell you, if a client doesn’t respect your boundaries, they’re not the kind of client you want.

How to Set (and Enforce) Client Boundaries:

Set clear communication policies – Let clients know your response times upfront.
Stick to your scope – If a client requests something outside their package, offer an upgrade, not free extras.
Hold firm on deadlines – If clients don’t provide documents on time, their work gets delayed.
Fire clients who don’t respect your boundaries – Not every client is worth keeping.

The first time I enforced a client boundary, I was nervous. But guess what? The right clients respected it. And the ones who didn’t? They weren’t my ideal clients anyway.

Final Thoughts: Boundaries Make You a Better Leader

Here’s the truth: The right people will respect your boundaries. The wrong ones won’t.

Setting boundaries may mean losing clients, team members, or even friendships. But what’s worse? Staying stuck in a business that drains you.

If you’re ready to step into true leadership, scale your firm, and stop being overworked, I’d love to help. Inside Breakthrough for Bookkeepers & Accountants, we show you exactly how to build a business that doesn’t rely on you 24/7.

Join Breakthrough today and take back control of your time, your business, and your life.

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