The poor practices of some management committees
Category Advice
It is important to note that in the title of this article, the word some is underlined, as the vast majority of committees on which I have served, and with whom I have worked, do not fall into this category. They perform exceptional services - often in extremely difficult and self-sacrificing circumstances. But some Committees: Make decisions, then do nothing about it.... and some never even have the good manners to revisit their change of mind and discuss it. Delay, delay, delay, and by the time they are forced to take action... it is often too late. (Problems don't just go away... they have to be dealt with timeously). Comprise of a coven of like-minded friends .... Sadly that often means that if one is stupid, so too are the others ... Instead of a mix which allows diverse views and approaches to combine in an effective and useful manner , it merely entrenches ineffectual thoughts and errors, which may already be part of the problem. Are reluctant to consider other opinions. The Chairpersons of committees often choose people who will listen to/obey them. There are committees who use their positions as a pedestal for over-inflated egos. Past captains and kings of industry, continue to think that they are experts in all avenues of life ... And so often even expect to be regally treated in their retirement estates. So what can be done to improve the choice of effective committee members? Recruit members based on needs rather than personalities (For example, if your Non-profit sees to the well being of animals - don't recruit a person who owns a circus, in which animals are still kept in small cages... or if it is the local branch of the RNLI (Royal Naval Life-saving Institute) don't consider a person who was born in Blikkies Dorp in the Karoo, has never seen the ocean, and perhaps hasn't even learnt to swim . Choose committee members who think out of the box - members who are there to make a difference... rather than an impression! AGAIN, IT MUST BE STRESSED THAT THIS APPLIES ONLY TO SOME COMMITTEES, AS THE VAST MAJORITY ARE EFFECTIVE AND SELF-SACRIFICING .................... Henry Spencer
Author: Henry Spencer