In Don Miguel Ruiz’s book, The Four Agreements he teaches the ideas of the ancient Toltec wisdom of the native people of Southern Mexico. The Toltec viewed science and spirit as part of the same entity, believing that all energy – material or ethereal – is derived from and governed by the universe.
We can learn much from the Toltec people and we can apply Ruiz’s Four Agreements with our duties on being on the Board of Directors in a Community Association. The Agreements in Bold are Ruiz’s statements, followed by my interpretation.
Agreement #1 – “Be impeccable with your word”Speak with integrity and say only what you mean. As a Board Member, the statutes and documents state that in your position, on the Board, that you have a fiduciary responsibility to the unit owners. Therefore, you should try to leave your personal feelings out of any judgments, rulings conflicts etc. In other words, you are there to uphold the state statutes and the association’s documents and to leave any personal issues out of the position.
Agreement #2 – “Don’t take anything personally”Nothing others do or say to you is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own personal angry past, their unhappy present and their fear of the future. You are not responsible for the actions and words of others. Therefore, your position on the Board is not about you or those who seem to be having problems living in an association. Remember, it is a business. It is all about the association and your responsibilities to the other unit owners. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you then can think and act in the best interests of the community.
Agreement #3 – “Don’t make assumptions”Find the courage to ask questions of the other unit owners and the people who assist you in the management of your association. Communicate with others as clearly as you can in order to avoid any misunderstandings. If we don’t ask and clarify by communicating clearly, we then are making assumptions that may be totally wrong and based on the wrong premise. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform you’re your position on the Board of Directors.
Agreement #4 – “Always do your best”Doing “Your Best” is a relative thing, based on that moment, day or situation and is changeable moment to moment. Under any circumstance, simply do your best and you will avoid self-judgment and regret. Remember, you are a volunteer and all you are asked to, is the best you are capable of on any given day.
Being a Board Member can be time consuming, difficult and stressful at times. Try to follow the Ruiz’s Four Agreements in order to operate on a higher level and in a detached manner. If you can incorporate these Four Agreements in your dealings on behalf of the Association, your effectiveness should increase as your stress level will be reduced. You should be applauded as you are 1 out of 50 unit owners in your community that made the decision to participate and try to improve your community association. Well done!
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