November 5, 2025 - Blog Post

Apply Strengths-based Management in Condominium Governance

As promised in my last blog post, here is a process that each board can use in adjusting their leadership using a strengths-based management approach.

1. Start with Strengths Awareness

Goal: Identify each board member’s natural talents and preferred working styles.

How to do it:

• Have each member complete a short strengths assessment (e.g., Gallup CliftonStrengths, VIA Character Strengths, CAPP Strengths Profile or a simpler self-reflection exercise). The VIA is free (https://www.viacharacter.org/) but Clifton and CAPP cost money. VIA is based on universally valued character traits, while the CAPP model is more specific and focuses on natural capacity for behaving, thinking or feeling and the Gallup model strengths are regarded as well developed talents.
• Discuss results together in a board session — not to label people, but to understand what energizes each member and where they naturally excel.
• Encourage members to share what kind of work they enjoy and where they feel they contribute most effectively.

Example:
One member thrives on details and process → great fit for Treasurer or Secretary.
Another is a natural connector and communicator → ideal for President or community liaison.

2. Align Roles with Strengths

Goal: Assign officer roles and responsibilities based on what each member does best.

How to do it:

• Match role demands (strategic thinking, communication, analysis, planning, etc.) to members’ identified strengths.
• Revisit assignments annually — as people grow in confidence, roles can shift to reflect evolving strengths.

Example:

• President/Chair: someone strong in leadership, relationship-building, and decision-making.
• Treasurer: analytical, detail-oriented, and reliable.
• Secretary: organized and good with written communication.
• Committee Leads: enthusiastic about community engagement or technical topics (e.g., maintenance, environment, social events).

3. Use Strengths in Collaboration and Decision-Making

Goal: Improve meetings and teamwork by recognizing and leveraging diverse strengths.

How to do it:

• Encourage board members to voice opinions from their perspective of strength.
  • The strategic thinker identifies long-term implications.
  • The relationship builder gauges community impact.
  • The executor focuses on action steps.
• During meetings, assign roles temporarily — such as a “clarifier,” “summarizer,” or “devil’s advocate” — based on people’s strengths.

This ensures balanced discussions and reduces the risk of groupthink or conflict.

4. Apply a Coaching Mindset

Goal: Replace criticism with constructive, strength-focused feedback.

How to do it:

• When addressing performance or follow-up, focus first on what went well and how a person’s strength contributed.
• If challenges arise, frame them as opportunities to use existing strengths differently rather than “fixing weaknesses.”
• Presidents and committee chairs can use one-on-one check-ins to help each member use their strengths more effectively.

5. Build a Strengths-Based Culture

Goal: Create an ongoing culture of appreciation, learning, and contribution.

How to do it:

• Acknowledge members’ contributions at meetings based on their unique strengths (“Thanks to Alex’s attention to detail, we avoided an oversight in the budget”).
• Encourage new volunteers or committee members to join based on their interests and strengths, not just availability.
• Celebrate diverse approaches to problem-solving — whether analytical, relational, or creative.

In short:

A strengths-based management process helps condominium boards move from dividing work to aligning talent.
When each member plays to their natural strengths, the board becomes more cohesive, productive, and enjoyable to serve on — ultimately leading to better governance and happier communities.

One final note:

We all have skills that we have developed over time. These are learned behaviours. Learned Behaviour is something you’re good at but don’t necessarily enjoy while a strength is something you are good at and are energized by it.

Michael Kennedy
CCI Nova Scotia