Partner Post: Learning to Be a Condo Association Board Leader

This post was republished with permission from BetterCondoLife.com. 

You know what you’re getting into and you’ve learned how your board does its work.  You’ve probably been frustrated with some things, and wondered why they aren’t better, or why things aren’t done the right way.  Now it’s time for you to take the next step in your association: it’s time for you to be a condo association board leader.

Focus on Small Wins

A big mistake leaders make – not just in condos, but everywhere – is they dream too big and ignore the small wins. In a condo association, this is even more important. You don’t have the big budgets of a space company to go to Mars. You’ve got a small budget and a small council of owners. 

That doesn’t mean small is bad. What it means is you need to lead by example and show that you can “put points on the board.” Find some small things that need fixing – and fix them. Do the work, lead the charge, and get it done. Once you’ve accomplished it, find a polite way to make sure everyone knows who got the job done. You want to build the credibility and reputation as someone who gets things done.

Do What’s Right

If you think your condo association is doing something wrong, immoral, or bad, then lead the way to what’s right and moral. The hardest decisions aren’t the easy ones. Part of being a leader is knowing when you need to step up and fight for what’s right. This likely means going against others. But if you want to be a condo association board leader, that means you’re going to need to take on the toughest challenges. 

Own the Position

You – and every board member – knew what you were getting into when you ran.  You’re doing this because you care about your community and you want to volunteer. This means that you need to take ownership of the position. Don’t complain excessively about the hours, the attitudes, or the work. Be a role model and someone who wants to be a board member. Cherish the position and make it clear you appreciate the challenge, the opportunity, and the burdens. This is doubly important when you’re in open meetings with owners. Let them see you are a winner, not a loser.

Leadership is never easy, but if you wanted easy, you never would have joined a condo association board! Everyone has an acclimation period to a new job, but once you’ve found your “sea legs,” it’s time to step up. If you want to be successful, you need to make sure you’re being a leader, not a follower. If you’re a condo association board leader, you’ll be on your way to building a better condo life for your community.