At some point, every Homeowners Association Board of Directors will have someone who should come with a mute button. While most Board members act maturely and can work together civilly, there will be those who prefer discord and intimidation. Association Board bullies don’t leave black eyes behind like the typical playground bully we’ve all come across, but they do pose a threat. They can be a threat to your community’s well-being by wreaking havoc for residents and decreasing the productivity of the Board.
Three Main Types of Board Bullies
- The Expert. The “expert” is the know-it-all who dominates the conversation during meetings with facts and “special expertise.” Nine times out of ten, their expertise is not in community associations. They are just trying to get their way and push their agenda.
- The “Get a Life”. The bullies who need to get a life are those who think they should be running the entire show. These board members are trying to fill some sort of void by getting overly involved in association business.
- The Intimidator. The intimidator is less concerned about taking the right path and more concerned with winning. They dominate meetings by being loud and unruly. They need to diminish others to make themselves feel more powerful, and they are manipulative and destructive.
In general, bullies are insecure. Their lack of confidence causes them to act aggressively and push their agenda during meetings. Their need to be “right” or seen as the most intelligent person in the room tends to derail meetings by dominating discussions.
Tips for Preventing Bully Behavior
- Keep Board meetings tightly structured so bullies can’t take over.
- Adopt a code of conduct for Board members.
- Train Board members so they know their responsibilities.
Tips for Dealing With a Bully:
- Confront a bully early, before they become worse.
- Be specific about the behavior that you want to be stopped.
- Document the bullying behavior.
- Check the bylaws to find out how to remove the bully from the Board.
By strategically addressing your HOA bully, you can take the necessary steps to improve the situation. It is imperative to have guidelines for removing the distraction and getting back to the association’s business.
If your HOA Board is dealing with a Board Bully or if you need help managing your association, contact Prism Realty Management. Learn about who we are, the services we offer, and our process, then give us a call at 512-676-5842.