Psychologically, why the ego if a Board member?

Started by AlexL1 • 9 replies • 1330 views

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AlexL1 (Florida)
Posts: 305

Posted:

We have one Board member who is the president. Yes, I know and you know that with that and $225 one can buy a cup of coffee. This person, however, is constantly telling people when that President meets them... Hello, I am the President, etc etc. Yes, I am on the Board but titles mean absolutely nothing to me but to that person, it is everything. I have never understood why

NicoleO4 (California)
Posts: 160

Posted:

Hard to say. HOA Boards are like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get.

This one may have something lacking in his personal life and is really seeking recognition or awknowlegement or he may be one that already has this in his personal life but requires it even more.. huge ego... good luck.

BradP (Kansas)
Posts: 2,640

Posted:

some people thrive on what they perceive is a certain status...however, what they don't know is most people could care less..

BruceF1 (Connecticut)
Posts: 2,535

Posted:

How would he feel if someone told him nobody else wanted the job? As anyone out there who has even been president knows, it isn't always a fun job.

SusanW1 (Michigan)
Posts: 5,202

Posted:

You don't say at what format this conversation is taking place.

At an Annual Meeting or even a HOA community/social gathering, I think his intro is not "over the top" but rather, informative, to this certain gathering attendees. Perhaps he's even establishing himself in an "approachable" role when introducing himself to new residents.

Sorry, but there is SOME status in the Presidency. (A dubious honor, for sure)

(Now if he's telling people at the local grocery store . . . . then there is an ego problem.)

AlexL1 (Florida)
Posts: 305

Posted:

There might be some honor if that person was selected to be president but if at a meeting following the ballots, that person demanded to be president, then something is "dubiously" wrong. As to telling everyone that person is president, YES, that person tells everyone that he meets. I sort of like the answer above having to do with a person who is obviously troubled psychologically and is desperately insecure

SusanW1 (Michigan)
Posts: 5,202

Posted:

"demanded"??? How did that happen?

Ah . . . the details!!

JohnK3 (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 967

Posted:

Personally, knowing what I know, people who volunteer to serve on HOA Boards all have pyschological issues, including:

1. A need for ridicule and disdain from folks they try to help.
2. Lack of self-esteem, as they tolerate #1.
3. Lack of common sense, as if they had it, they'd never have volunteered.
4. Delusions of being "good persons" and "good neighbors."
5. Other stuff too dark to mention.

But seriously, if somebody takes on the work, and does a reasonably good job, or at least tries to, if their bells get rung by being able to say they're (insert title and responsibilities), I'd say cut 'em some slack.

MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491

Posted:

Wow.

1 through 5 sums me up pretty good.

Do I know you??

Seriously, though, it really does make a difference in what context the self-introduction as president is occurring.

I have held each office on the HOA board (president, vice president, secretary, treasurer) and the only time I can think of that I've "announced" my title is when it may have been needed to indicate some degree of credibility about the comments I may be making (such as on here, when I say, "I'm treasurer and how I've handled such a situation. . ." and such.

I'm also a director on several other community boards as well as in a position appointed by our mayor as a metro commissioner for our vacant housing commission.

But, I can also not think of a time I've ever "introduced" myself that way, either as a board member, officer, or metro commissioner. Well, except for just now.

I would say, though, that some people put some sort of status in holding an elected position, even if it's a marginal elected one.

Like in our HOA. We only ever have at most 7 people ever put themselves on our board of directors slate. We have "space" for 9. So. It goes without saying that since each person will garner at least ONE vote, all 7 will be "elected."

Not much of an aspirational position, but, hey, some people have never been elected to ANYTHING before, so it may mean a lot to them. Even if they only get ONE vote (their own).

Not that they're egotistical, but self-deluded is high on the list of possibilities. . .

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Perhaps it is an ego thing with this particular board president; however, I don't think one should make a blanket statement that all people in positions of authority state their position because they want to receive recognition, or whatever. When I was treasurer of my former assn, there were times, when meeting a new member, I would state my position on the board. It wasn't because I wanted to feel important, but rather because I wanted to let that person know who they could contact for financial info.

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