7. Letting Personal
Agendas Get in the Way
One of the most common recurring board errors is members
using their position to carry out personal agendas. This
includes hiring friends as vendors, making choices that
only benefit their home or their friends' homes, and taking
feedback personally.
An HOA is a non-profit corporation designed to run as a
business. That means leaders have a duty to act in the best
interest of the association—not themselves. You must separate
yourself from any personal views and conflicts, as they can get
in the way of making the right choice for the community. Make
fair and consistent decisions based on standard practices
rather than emotional opinions and preferences.
I believe the most important skill for a board member
to possess is objectivity. You need to look at all
positions and then select the path that provides the
greatest good for all members of the association.
This may not be the path that benefits you the most,
but benefits the group. We call this the 'no personal
agenda' approach to being a board member."
- Jesse Dubuque, CMCA®
General Manager
Associa Minnesota
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