Condo Media - January 2024 - 31

The Soft Skills As we all know, the previously outlined basic functions are only one part of this multi-faceted job.
Board members must also have and practice soft skills to serve their communities well.
Essential Abilities To carry out the duties of a trustee in the most effective and harmonious manner for the community, the successful
board member will (a) have the ability and acumen to relate with people from all walks of life, (b) be able to communicate effectively in person
and in writing and (c) negotiate between diverse groups and individuals (d) while maintaining emotional equilibrium and personal equanimity.
In order to do so, the board member shall exhibit the following traits:
Communicate Clearly
The board member, understanding their
leadership role within the community,
shall endeavor to communicate clearly
at all times, both orally and in writing,
on all items pertaining to the community
in order to project clarity in leadership.
The successful board member needs
to be (a) a very good communicator
who is able to (b) articulate concepts and
ideas, (c) formulate relevant, cogent questions
on political and operational issues,
and (d) keep confusion at a minimum
not only for themselves and the board,
but for the community.
l Remember: Everything a board
member says or does is public.
Fuzzy communication will be transmitted
to the community in a number
of ways, leading to a lack of clarity on
practical issues (e.g., which streets are
closed for repairs, and when?) and a
lack of focus on larger policy issues.
Work Well in a
Team Environment
The board member will work to ensure
the proper functioning of the board
through willing collaboration with other
members to resolve issues in the best
interests of the community.
l New to the board? Drop any personal
agenda you have regarding individuals
or the board as a whole (yes,
this is a skillset). Start afresh with
the intent of creating and maintaining
a good rapport with your colleagues
and the residents. Relationships will
be key to your success and that of the
community. Creating and maintaining
relationships as a board member
means being an active member of
a team. Trying to be a " lone wolf "
on a board usually leads to rancor
(no one likes you) and ineffectiveness
(you still need a majority of votes to
get anything done, and you won't...
because no one likes you).
Manage Conflict
The board member will work to minimize conflict between board members and themselves
and between residents and themselves.
l The first step in managing conflict is to understand that overall, conflict and confrontation
(between people or between you and an issue) is often a net-positive. Without it, many
important issues would fester and worsen.
Maintain Self-Awareness
The board member will be able to (a) recognize their own emotions and (b) how they affect
their thinking and behavior.
l Board members must always understand that their essential duty - the administration of
property of behalf of others - is always done in an emotionally charged environment; they are
dealing with other people's money and living conditions as well as their own. For example:
If, as a board member, you are aware that the assessments are woefully low, the reserves haven't
been funded in years, and an increase in dues to meet this funding necessity will cause personal
financial and emotional distress, you cannot allow that emotion to color your decisions.
Have Social
Awareness
The board member shall
be able to understand the
emotions, needs, and concerns
of other people; " pick up "
emotional cues; and recognize
the power dynamics in a group
or organization.
l A board cannot and will not
be successful if they are
unable to understand what
is going on in the populace
and in the board itself. Think
about it: How can you align
the community with the
board in meeting its goals if
you are unable or unwilling
to see and understand what
motivates those you need to
bring along? Boards that fail
in this area wind up highly
autocratic (simply forcing
their will on the community),
highly ineffectual, or both;
usually one follows the other
to the detriment of the community.
These social abilities
are critical for board members
to have or develop.
Be Adept at Self-Management
The board member shall be able to control impulsive feelings
and behaviors and manage their emotions in healthy ways.
l Being a board member means being exposed at times
to unpleasant people and circumstances, which can
cause one to want to lash out in one form or another.
However, this behavior, though momentarily satisfying,
is almost always counter-productive for the member,
the board as a whole, and the community. A lack of
self-control on the part of even one board member can
cause anything from unnecessary distraction to halting
the overall agenda of the board for long periods of time.
Follow Through on Commitments
The board member shall always endeavor to keep
their promises and commitments to the board and
the community, indicating personal trustworthiness
and integrity.
l As a board member, you cannot be swayed away from
your fiduciary duty and commitment to the betterment
of the community by external circumstances, such as
the torch-and-pitchfork crowd that shows up at a meeting
to protest a $15 increase in assessments. You must
have the courage of your convictions and the fortitude
to follow through with what you know is the right
course of action for the community as a whole. Folding
like a lawn chair at the first sign of conflict doesn't help
your credibility whatsoever and will keep you from
being an effective, trusted member of the board.
January 2024 CONDOMEDIA 31

Condo Media - January 2024

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