9 Ways to Improve Strata Council Communication from Within

As a strata council member, you have generously offered your valuable time to serve your community. You no doubt have your resident’s best interests in mind and want to put forth your best effort. To that end, you may want to sharpen your interpersonal communication skills. While communicating clearly and effectively with residents is vitally important, it is just as important to foster better strata council communication.

At FirstService Residential, we have a considerable amount of experience working with strata council members. We’ve discovered that the most successful strata councils invest time in communicating effectively internally. In doing so, cooperation improves, mutual understanding is achieved, and relationships strengthen – all of which contribute to achieving their community’s goals and vision. We’ve also seen that when good communication is lacking from within, misunderstandings, errors and frustration can develop.

In your role as a strata council member you communicate verbally and in writing every day. And for both of those forms of communication, clearly expressing what you want to see accomplished and will cultivate more effective interpersonal strata council member communications.

The most high-functioning councils we have partnered with regularly put into practice the following nine techniques that significantly improve strata council communication:

1. Listening actively

Having good listening skills means hearing what is being communicated by your fellow strata council members, regardless of the manner in which the message is delivered. People have different communication styles. Therefore, it’s a good idea to listen even more intently to someone whose style differs from yours. In doing so, you’ll be better able to focus on strata business and avoid getting distracted by personal agendas. Remember, every council member deserves to express themselves in an environment that is respectful and hospitable. So, if you find you are not being attentive, try to self-correct and become an active listener.

2. Speaking strategically

When you have strong verbal skills, you are more likely to be successful in your dealings with fellow council members. Here are several specific verbal skills you might find helpful in your next council meeting:

• Redirect questions and comments – Encourage other council members to answer questions or comments that were directed at you.

• Paraphrase – In your own words, restate what someone else has said to confirm active listening.

• Encourage broader participation – Ask those who have not yet shared their thoughts to offer their views.

• Change perspective – Encourage the council to consider an issue from other points of view by debating.

• Solicit divergent viewpoints – Foster problem solving or the generation of different ideas by asking: “Does someone else have an opinion?,” “What might those who are not here say?” or “Have we overlooked other ideas?”

• Solicit convergent viewpoints – Try to achieve consensus by asking: “Are there any areas where we all can agree?” or “What can we agree is most important regarding this issue?”

3. Highlighting communication strengths

When it comes to communicating, people have different strengths. You may have a council member who is very brief and to the point, and another who prefers to elaborate. Some may be skilled at writing, while others may be skilled at public speaking. By playing up everyone’s communication strengths, you’ll help make your fellow council members look good. Letting each other’s communication abilities shine will also help improve engagement, create closer collaboration, and fortify council member relationships.

4. Being proactive and prepared

To best resolve issues when they arise, take time to gather the facts and become informed. Quickly reacting to situations and forming opinions without having all the necessary information is counterproductive. Instead, proactively seek all the necessary information to help make better decisions. Whether it’s through off or online research, consulting with your property management company, attending a regular strata council meeting or asking a committee, you should work toward gaining a thorough understanding of the issue at hand to respond appropriately. The more you proactively seek information, the more enlightened you will be, which will place you in a better position to critically analyze situations and communicate ideas. By preparing in advance, you’ll save your strata council time and improve its decision-making for your community.

5. Practicing patience

Learning how and why things work the way they do in your strata corporation takes time and patience. When a new council member comes along, he or she must develop a solid working knowledge of local, provincial, and federal laws that impact resident and council member interactions, your community’s governing documents and how your property management company works. It is a lot to absorb, so practice patience with yourself and your fellow council members. In time, you will be well prepared to respond to residents’ requests and concerns as a cohesive unit.

6. Understanding the role

One of the most important elements of quality strata council communication and interaction is acknowledging your strata corporation is a real business entity that requires efficient management. Many people go into the council member role with the best of intentions, eager to volunteer their time for a worthy cause, but do not to really understand what’s expected or required of them. Local, provincial, and federal laws, together with your governing documents, empower you to take action in some areas, require you to take action in others, and in some cases, they can prevent you from taking action. As a strata council member, it’s important to know your limitations for each of these scenarios.

7. Setting deadlines for decisions

Oftentimes, matters placed before a strata council for consideration need to be discussed and investigated before a vote can take place. Setting deadlines for decisions keeps council members moving forward at the same cadence. By clearly outlining timeframes and target dates, your projects will remain on track.

8. Documenting requests

When soliciting other strata council members for their input on various issues, you’ll get a better response if you document what you are requesting in writing prior to meeting with them. By doing so, you are giving your fellow members time to weigh how they intend to respond. At the same time, a documented request functions as a tangible reminder that their input has been requested.

9. Demonstrating objectivity

Remaining objective is one of the most beneficial interpersonal skills you, as a council member, can possess. Consider all points of view and what benefits your community (and not necessarily you) the most before arriving at a decision. Personal agendas are not helpful, nor welcome.

Clear strata council communication leads to a more effective council

Council members are most effective when they communicate well with each other. In fact, just about everything a council does is enhanced by using strong interpersonal skills. By improving these skills within your council, you’ll be able to create a thriving community with less work.

For additional guidance to help foster better communication within your council, download our guide on developing effective communication or contact FirstService Residential.