Whether you are the boss or a strategic advisor to the boss you establish boundaries to guide the decisions and hence behaviour of staff. What kind of boundaries have you set? I see three basic types:
• Hard – Thou shalt not cross.
• Flexible – Permission to bend the boundaries, up to a point, is implicit.
• Cushioned – Firm boundaries that allow staff to push up against them without getting “hurt”.
Hard boundaries are needed when the consequences are dire. Examples include safety and highly regul
