I Work In A Start-up. The CEO Often Asks Me To Help Her With Her Personal Work. I Feel Like I Always Have To Say Yes Because She’s The Boss, But Sometimes I Would Prefer To Focus On My Actual

When the team is small, such requests will come as the CEO treats you as a part of the micro family. Helping the boss is never an issue as long as it is not affecting your performance at work and does not consume more of your personal time. If it does, you may kindly tell your CEO the difficulties. I am sure she will give preference to the key deliverables then the parties.

You do realise that the working dynamics of a start-up are different from that of an established company. The protocol is more relaxed and flexible, being a small team, comfort level is more, so there is always that chance that you maybe asked to extend yourself in other areas as well. Unless it hinders your professional efforts and dedication, some support on the personal front will only boost the spirit of camaraderie and create a more favourable working culture. Consider it a trade off or else the option of holding yourself back from personal favours is always there and can be implemented tactfully and assertively.

Please recommend to the boss that a ‘job responsibility sheet’ be handed over to you so that you have clarity about what is expected of you. Say that you wouldn’t want to get it wrong or will fall short & hence you’re asking for it. Having said that, nothing like being straightforward and sharing that you would like to be involved only in matters that pertain to work as you’re not quite good in anything else.