Emotional intelligence in the workplace is almost as important as “traditional” intelligence—and in many cases, it is more important for solving complex problems that require teamwork and the human element.” https://www.
cornerstone.edu/blog-post/why-emotional-intelligence- matters-in-your-job-and-in-your-life/ This article was written in 2018. Imagine the additional research since that time.
If emotional intelligence is so statistically relevant to workplaces, imagine how significant the presence of emotional intelligence is to volunteers responsible for the success of so many facets of the place called home to so many people. The basic guidelines for successful board communication and results include some soft skills required to avoid The Grand Old Duke of York’s futile efforts. Let’s look at potential solutions.
Quick and simple ways to improve communication:
• Say hello as each person “enters” your meeting. Genuinely saying hello and talking about common thoughts is an excellent start to communicating during the meeting.
• Treat others as you wish to be treated. It’s tough to get away from this truth.
• Get to know each other. What is the biggest reason that each of your board members volunteered for the community?
• Be authentic. Authenticity works no matter the setting.
LOOK FOR AND EMBRACE DIVERSITY OF THOUGHT WITHIN THE BOARD AND COMMITTEES
Embracing diversity can be more complicated than it sounds. No matter when we were born, as an example, adding perspective from starkly different generations can be challenging. The knee-jerk reaction is to be defensive with one another (a topic for another day), and often the group moves away from its established norms. Dysfunction often starts its journey with feelings. Anger and defensiveness could result from something that occurred in one board member’s personal life that is very different than what transpired in other board members’ lives or the board’s construct. Knowledge and consideration of this possibility should influence your perspective.
A board should encourage and appreciate those who wish to volunteer their time. Additionally, wouldn’t it be great to be genuinely welcoming to different opinions? Respectfully
listening to differing opinions is to consider more than one view point. At times, this may result in learning something or seeing a circumstance differently. Volunteering time in a community would look easy when respect and clear rules define acceptable behavior. Volunteering in an association would bring about a sense of community, pride in making important decisions, respecting the process, and understanding that micro-management introduces unnecessary dissension. When a board is clear about the “next steps,” its community can eliminate action-stalling micro-management. Volunteering in this community would be about service instead of control. Think about the type of person that would volunteer in that community!
Productive, practical, and functional boards of directors are the subject of a lot of research. CAI has a ton of research, recommendations, and best practices for community association boards, and there is widespread evidence as to the crucial factors in successful boards. Armed with these tools, a board will be sure to achieve better results than the Grand Old Duke of York!
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Quote attributed to Dottie Schindlinger, Executive Director of the Diligent Institute and Vice President of the Diligent Corporation
www.cai-illinois.org • 847.301.7505 | 29
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