An HOA board is made up of a diverse group of people with differing opinions and backgrounds. This is good because it brings a variety of thoughts to the table. You can discuss different perspectives and find the best solution for any problems that you face.
However, on an HOA board, you’re bound to run into complications sometimes. Anytime you have a group of people collaborating, disagreements can arise, as you all try to work together. That’s why it’s important that the team works cohesively.
Certain attributes can help teams work better together. After all, if your HOA board runs on infighting or miscommunication, your community is less likely to run smoothly.
Responsible and committed
On an HOA board, each member needs to pull their weight. This means that even though this isn’t a full-time job, it is something that should be taken seriously. It’s not just a hobby. The decisions the HOA board makes affect the community as a whole. That means each board member needs to take responsibility and make a commitment to their job on the board.
Able to delegate
Sometimes delegation is necessary. One or two people can’t do it all. People on an HOA board need to be able to ask for help when it’s needed. They need to be able to delegate out work as necessary. Otherwise, they could easily become overwhelmed and unable to do each assignment efficiently.
Open and honest
It’s important for HOA boards to be transparent. HOA board members shouldn’t hide things from other community members. They need to discuss things openly and make sure all board members are up to date on what is going on. The community also needs to feel like they can trust the HOA board. When the community trusts the board, they’re more likely to learn and follow the rules and regulations set. Additionally, they’re more likely to trust the judgment of the board.
Consistency
Board members need to be consistent in how they handle things. Say, for example, one member calls about an issue and it’s taken care of a certain way. Then you have another member who has the same or a very similar problem come up, but you handle it differently than the first. This will make your board look bad. You have to make sure that you’re consistent about everything on the board or you will quickly lose community trust.
Adaptability
Some situations require adaptability. Change is inevitable and sometimes it’s the best route to follow. Don’t get too set in how things have been done that you’re not willing to see what could be done. Be willing to be adaptable and compromise when it’s the best course of action.
The ability to let go of personal feelings
It’s easy to feel sensitive when someone says something in anger or doesn’t like your idea. However, on an HOA board, getting defensive will not help you move forward. If you aren’t able to get past personal feelings, it will hold up the process of finding the best solutions.
You also need to remember to set aside personal feelings when it comes to handling issues with homeowners. You can’t treat a homeowner who you get along with differently than a homeowner who you don’t get along with. This goes back to the attribute of consistency.
Be willing to learn and share
We often feel like our opinion is the best one in the room, but that’s not always true. We need to be willing to listen to what others have to say and share the spotlight. Sometimes we’ll find out something we weren’t aware of that can help us make a more sound decision for the community. If one person takes up most of the time to speak and doesn’t allow others room to discuss, it can inhibit finding the best solution and working cohesively as a team. It can also hinder board relationships and make others not want to be involved at all.
If you want your HOA board to be successful, it’s important to work on these attributes. Even if they don’t come naturally to you, they can be learned. If there’s an area in which you feel you could personally improve upon, take steps to get there. You can talk with someone you know who you feel exudes the attribute that you struggle with and learn from them. You can also do some research on Google to find tips on how to improve.
If you’re looking for help managing your HOA board, we’re happy to assist you. We take every step to make sure your HOA board runs smoothly. We’re also committed to effective communication and transparency. You can trust us to do everything in our power to help your community stay happy. Visit our website to learn more about what we can offer you. https://www.pmiprincewilliam.com/.
