The Most Surprising Part of Working with Committees

The most surprising thing I’ve learned working with body corporate committees is how much they genuinely care.

I work with frustrated committees. Burned-out committees. Committees that feel like nobody appreciates them. But even in those moments, they care about the building and the owners.

The struggle isn’t about effort. It’s about clarity, support, and understanding.

What I see in committees

People who volunteer because they want their building managed well.

People who worry about the decisions they’re making. Who second-guess themselves. Who care deeply about fairness.

People who show up to meetings, do the work, and then face criticism from owners who weren’t in the meeting.

Why they struggle

Not because they don’t care. They struggle because:

They lack information to make good decisions. They don’t have time to do everything properly. They don’t get support from owners. They get blamed for things outside their control. They’re unsure if they’re making the right call.

These are all solvable with better support, clearer information, and owner understanding.

What committees need most

Support from owners. Not blind agreement. But understanding that committees are trying to manage complex situations. A little respect goes a long way.

Good information. Building assessments, financial projections, professional advice. Committees make better decisions with better information.

Time to think. Instead of making decisions in 10 minutes, having time to discuss, consult, and consider. Better decisions come from thought.

Clear process. Knowing what they’re supposed to do, and doing it systematically. Process removes guesswork.

What owners can do

Show appreciation. Even just: “I see the work you’re doing. Thank you.”

Give feedback constructively. Instead of “This decision is wrong,” try “Can you help me understand the thinking?”

Be patient. Committees need time to make good decisions.

Volunteer if you can. If you think you can do better, step up and help.

The reality of committees

They’re not perfect. They make mistakes. But they’re trying.

And most of the time, when they’re struggling, it’s not because they don’t care. It’s because they’re unsupported, unclear on what they should do, or facing unrealistic expectations.

The surprising thing I’ve learned is how much better things work when owners just acknowledge that effort and give committees a chance to succeed.