That Guy
If you’ve been following my articles over the last couple of years, you know I have a friend who became a community manager. She, like all of us, loves it while simultaneously wanting to poke her eyes out. So, normal, right? Much to her amusement I have written several articles about the various scenarios managers – especially newer managers – find themselves in based on my observations of her experiences which in a way are reflections of my own experiences back in the day. Here’s what struck me this week: THAT guy.
You know who I’m talking about. That guy. Or that woman (for simplicity’s sake, we’ll use “guy” as the collective term). The one with a complaint or comment about everything. The one who fills your inbox. The one who leaves voicemail. The one who, on Friday at 6:15pm, makes an emergency complaint about a parking issue. THAT guy. Sometimes, that guy isn’t a bad guy, just a time sucker. And sometimes that guy is on the Committee!
In my managing career I had a lot of “that guys”, and the “that guy” profile hasn’t changed in 33 years. How did I deal with that guy? Well, sometimes I did pretty well and sometimes not, but nowhere near as well as I would today. So if you have a few minutes (and that guy isn’t calling you right now), let’s see if what I know now can help you deal with that guy.
Understand that guy’s motivation
LOOK AT ME! Make no mistake, that guy is seeking attention, be it yours, the Committees or his neighbours’. As the manager, you just happen to be the most accessible and to some degree have to give him attention. When that guy contacts you, you may feel like you’re in the spotlight…“Why me? Why can’t he find another hobby?” You have this backwards. You’re not his hobby – HE is HIS hobby. This is all about him, not you.
Doesn’t that guy just want to get things done? Good things? Maybe, but never in regular order. He can’t just send in a complaint form on the website. He emails the manager directly and cc’s others (LOOK AT ME!). His issues are pressing. They’re special. He’s special. If his issues aren’t responded to or rectified in a few hours, he’s calling. Or emailing again and cc’ing your boss and other residents. He’s doing what no one else will do because he’s noticing what no one else does. He is on it and by implication… you’re not. Though that guy’s complaint may be legitimate, his method is always to point out how great he is and how incompetent everyone else is. LOOK. AT. ME.
Managing that guy
First: Stop thinking he is anything but that guy. Once you’ve identified that guy the first thing you need to do is to stop being surprised or angry at what he does and how he does it. It’s like the moment you realize that dog is not a Labrador Retriever it’s a yappy purse dog. Hoping the yappy dog will stop yapping is wishful thinking and a waste of time. Now, how to manage that guy?
Attach none of your emotion to that guy. Because you’re busy and he’s annoying it’s easy to get sucked in to his vortex… the one where you’re mad and he’s getting what he wants (LOOK AT ME). When you stop thinking he’s going to be any different than he is (see above) your expectations change and your emotions go back in to the normal range. He is how he is, no amount of frustration or anger on your part is going to affect him. It only affects you.
Be Helpful! This is the critical positive action on your part. Of course, that guy drives you nuts and tries your patience with all his petty issues, but butting heads with him only makes matters worse. To that end, when you’ve done all you can for that guy with little if any positive results and it’s time for the Committee to get involved, try this: Suggest he put all his issues in one letter (email) to the Committee and let him know the date you’ll need it for the notice. Tell him it’s the best way for him to get his points across and for the Committee to review them in a systematic manner without having to wade through 13 emails and 7 phone messages (and in fact, that’s true). This will save you and the Committee time and emotional energy over the long haul. Also, you’re channeling his energy in to something that is actually productive for everyone and that’s your job.
Know when it’s faster to pick up the phone and just talk to that guy.? We resist phone conversation these days in favor of email. It’s less personal and takes less time…. Until it doesn’t. Sometimes, you just have to pick up the phone and call that guy when he least expects it to listen to him and give him a reasonable amount of your time and attention. It’s attention that he wants, and though maddening, giving him some on your terms is a part of managing him, not him managing you.
Our world of community management is one in which there is never a boring day, as much as we would sometimes like to have one. Dealing with that guy is just one facet of the challenging situations we find ourselves in. If you’ve been in the business awhile, you know that guy will show up in every Body Corporate sooner or later. Believe me, I’ve had my share. I learned to roll my eyes, put on a smile, deal with him and move on. If you’re new, you’re not alone with this problem, just remember that guy will always exist and how you react to him is on you. That guy will never change, but you can and will manage him and manage him well without giving him any of your precious emotional energy.
If you’re new to the business, you can find great comfort by discussing the “that guy problem” with experienced managers. They can provide expertise, guidance and assurance that you are not alone: They’ve been there, probably are there and will be there again. They just don’t let it get to them anymore because they have learned to manage that guy. You will, too.
This article was contributed by Julie Adamen – Adamen Inc.
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Wow, belittling owners because they dare to raise an issue? Do you not understand that on-site management is your job. It’s what owners levies pay for. Whilst it’s true, on-site management and Strata Management can be tricky when dealing with the different personalities of owners. It’s a two way street. You need to be prepared to address issues raised in a professional manner. If a particular owner is raising many issues then perhaps you need to look at the overall management of the complex with an open mind. Instead of calling him “that guy” address his concerns. If they are minor and can be sorted quickly, then that should be done. If they are major, then they need to be bought up in the next committee meeting. I think it’s a bit much to leave owners feeling like they cannot raise a valid issue in case they get labeled as a serial pest. Sorry, but levies are not cheap and owners should be listened to. Often they are the ones who know the issues as they live there or deal with the fall out from their tenants.
If you’re seriously labeling the people who pay the levies from which you draw a salary to maintain the complex as an on-site manager “that guy” then maybe you’re in the wrong job!
This is not an “Us vs Them” scenario. When this kind of thinking takes hold, communication that is in the best interests of the complex and it’s owners breaks down and a toxic environment takes hold. This is a big problem in Strata. Be professional in your communications. Even if the owners are not. They are not being paid. They are doing the paying!
An interesting review of how to handle persistent complaints. Being a committee chair, I found the article contained some real life experiences.
It’s confounding that Smart Strata include such a derisive article in a publication you distribute to people engaging your ‘professional’ services.
Julie,
Thank you.
I’ve been in this business for over 15 years and this is the best advice I’ve seen. That guy is very frustrating and can waste an awful lot of precious time, but he is a client and he must be listened to and his concerns acted upon. I will make sure all my staff read your article, we are in the service business and your article will help us remain composed, positive and in a better mindset to achieve our goals whilst doing our best to keep that guy appeased.
Suggest your article could have been more pertinent if it had used less ‘American Terms’.
E.g., Person/s rather than guy…..
His/Her to comment overall.
The article’s language does not set the right tone for an article in Smart Strata. Of a disappointing standard!
Could not agree more with Kate, I am “That Guy(Americanism)” and my motivation is not “all about me” I was the Chair and thought quite the opposite, I am trusted with the BC Money and the condition of the complex, it is my Job, though unpaid.
When a Manager does not do the job the BC pay for, then it becomes the job of “that guy” to ensure the best interests of the BC are looked after, if that means consistently ringing and emailing to get things done so be it.
I am old school and “all about me” is far far from my intentions.