Mobius

Business Boundaries Index

As you consider these various models you may be assessing where your characteristic boundary lie along this continuum and how your boundaries function in interactions with others. This exercise, adapted from the work of Charles Whitfield, M.D., helps you understand how your boundaries function. Circle the answer which most accurately represents how you react in these situations. Answer as honestly as you can; do not choose the answer you think is “correct” as there is no right answer.

1.	I have quite a few good friends at work.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
2.	I tend to stay in relationships with people for a long time.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
3.	Early in a business transaction I decide to trust people.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
4.	If it’s a choice between helping somebody else and helping myself, I consistently choose the other person.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
5.	My colleagues and I have a good give and take on ideas, resources, time and personal favors.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
6.	It’s important when I’m speaking at meetings that my colleagues make eye contact with me.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
7.	When I feel irritated at work, I usually express it.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
8.	I have no difficulty saying no when I need to.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
9.	I frequently ask for help when I get stuck.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
10.	I am able to integrate many people’s opinions into my decision-making process and still maintain a clear sense of my own viewpoint.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
11.	Criticism stings but I appreciate the feedback.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
12.	I don’t like to spend time alone.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
13.	I do at least a little work every day, seven days a week.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
14.	I usually feel good when I’m at work.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
15.	I make time to exercise at least three times a week.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
16.	I often think about work while I’m with my family.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
17.	I wish I had more friends at work.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
18.	Declining work and setting a boundary on new projects is difficult for me.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
19.	I tend to take care of other people at work rather than myself.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
20.	I use caffeine to stay awake at work.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
21.	I find it difficult to resist eating sweets.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
22.	I seem to absorb other people’s moods.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
23.	It’s difficult for me to get out of a relationship even if it’s not a very good one.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
24.	I consistently cover for my colleagues and bury my resentment.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
25.	I don’t like negative criticism even if it’s true.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
26.	For some reason people frequently say things that are insulting to me.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
27.	I often feel like the odd man/woman out.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
28.	When I get home after work I am usually wiped out.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
29.	I like my job, but I still feel a big void in my life.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
30.	I find myself fairly unhappy and rarely tell anyone.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
31.	I work more hours than are required by my job description.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
32.	I make decisions easily.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
33.	I often feel isolated from the other people who work in my business unit.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
34.	My business and personal relationships are frequently difficult for me.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
35.	When a coworker asks to borrow a few dollars I give it freely but rarely get it back.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
36.	Colleagues have to earn my trust. I only give it when warranted.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
37.	People often tell me things about others and I don’t know what to do with that information.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
38.	When complex ethical issues arise in the workplace I feel compelled to keep my viewpoint to myself.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
39.	Colleagues occasionally make jokes that offend me or hurt my feelings but I choose to stay silent.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
40.	I dislike public displays of affection.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
41.	I think I should be able to figure things out for myself.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
42.	I have difficulty asking for help at work.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
43.	I have a hard time not taking work home.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
44.	I don’t have very strong opinions about things.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
45.	I have little sense about how my work is valued by my manager, and I worry that I might lose my job.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
46.	Managing scope creep is challenging for me and I often do more than I should.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
47.	I don’t exercise regularly.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
48.	My dedication to my work has taken a real toll on my sense of balance in my life.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
49.	My state of mind is frequently influenced by how my coworkers are feeling.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
50.	When others are upset with me I often think it’s my fault.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
51.	When I get angry I usually hold it in.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
52.	If I disagree with the business decision being made, I rarely stick up for my own opinion.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
53.	I secretly feel indecisive at work.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
54.	I look forward to my work being acknowledged, but it’s hard for me to solicit positive feedback and praise for my professional contributions.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
55.	In a business meeting, I usually go along with the opinion of the majority.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
56.	Making eye contact with my manager in a conversation is difficult.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
57.	It’s very difficult for me when someone tells me to keep something confidential.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
58.	I feel embarrassed for some unknown reason.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
59.	I frequently find myself being touched by managers in this company and I don’t feel that I can say anything.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually
60.	I have occasionally blurred the boundaries between professional and sexual relationships.
	Never	Seldom	Occasionally	Often	Usually

The various models described are useful in learning about boundaries. But models by their very nature are guides, and cannot be taken literally. In reality our boundaries are in constant flux. They can quickly change from rigid to permeable depending on the situation and context (as in the following example). Moreover, our boundaries may combine qualities. For example, a person can simultaneously have a permeable boundary and a partially rigid boundary.

Once again, it is essential to remember that one type of boundary is no better than another. Each person needs all of these types of boundaries according to the situation and context. Boundaries need to be contextually appropriate. People experience difficulty with boundaries when they become stuck in a single mode or when the boundary doesn’t match the context. Increasing the boundary awareness in your workplace will help prevent unncessary and debiliating misunderstandings and increase a sense of openness, safety and productivity in your corporate environment.