It's mid-December. Your calendar is packed with holiday parties, performance reviews, and "quick sync" requests that aren't quick at all.
And if you're like most HR leaders, you're probably thinking: "I'll set boundaries in January."
But here's what I learned coaching CPOs this year: The pattern you run during chaos is the pattern you'll default to all year long.
If you're over-functioning now, you're teaching your organization what to expect from you in 2026.
Boundaries aren't walls. They're clarity.
They define what you're responsible for and what you're not. And the most respectful thing you can do (for yourself and for others) is get clear on them.
Three micro-boundaries to try this week:
Block one afternoon for thinking/reflection and treat it like a board meeting. No one gets that time but you.
Create a "what I own" vs. "what I support" list for the requests coming at you. Not everything urgent is yours.
Say this out loud once: "I can't take that on right now, but here's when I can revisit it." Practice the pause.
The chaos of December doesn't have to set the tone for your 2026.
You can lead powerfully AND protect your energy. They're not mutually exclusive.
If you downloaded the CPO guide, Chapter 9 goes deeper on this.
If you haven't yet, grab it here: https://community.hibob.com/c-suite-strategy/discussions/post/this-ebook-is-for-every-hr-leader-who-s-ever-felt-misunderstood-tMKQIlYL1PBfHFQ
What's a boundary you're committing to before the year ends?