This page hold published articles by Mac and several other top tier managers. The articles are grouped into four topics: Soft Skills, Governance, Motivation, and New Manager Transition. Almost all of them pertain to soft skills, but are grouped based on the theme topic. Short summaries of the content are added to help clarify the topic. Hopefully, this makes finding pertinent material easier.
Soft Skills
This is the result of our survey on micromanagement
Objective Standards - A Not So Rare Conversation
This article pertains to both the benefits of a standard and technical process, as well as handling member complaints
About controlling your emotions.
Handling the drunk member
Emotional control
This article deals with groups, but mostly about influence.
Light-hearted about how we all tend to stretch the truth
Light-hearted. As our members age, there may mental issues with which to contend.
Research results on negotiation practices specifically in salary negotiations.
Information is the currency of the club and often times that information is short of being correct and based on rumors. This article reviews some tactics for stemming the flow of rumors.
Some ideas on the uses of digital communications and the pitfalls within a club on "I didn't know what's going on."
Some Realities of Social Media
How clubs are actually using SM
One of my favorite articles on getting strong (and factually incorrect) feedback from a director.
Sometimes directors can have very strong personalities and this article has some suggestions on handling these directors
Being authentic is a plus and this article reviews its importance and suggests ways in which to show authenticity.
Specific story of internal marketing and telling the story to dis-believing members.
Presentation - Selling the Plan
Making a proposal to a potentially hostile crowd of members with hecklers!
Understanding how the lack of competence can be unknown to the incompetent and the pitfalls of this.
Featured Q&A in Board Room Magazine pertaining to the reasons for visibility
Deals specifically with the perils of SM, but also with handling a delicate member situation.
The use of a survey allowed us to distill down the few elements that indicate a successful club.
How our facial expressions impact perceptions
How to help with our aging members.
Options on adding categories
A survey of managers gives insight into the thorny issue of helping a friend or holding a confidence
A survey of managers gives us suggestions in how to handle a difficult HR challenge.
“Social Net Worth” and Its KPIs
Gregg Patterson gets the finance committee buy-in.
Gregg Patterson’s view for the future
Gregg Patterson’s important metrics
Governance
When Support Leaves the Manager
What managers do when they lose director support
Process by which clubs recruit new Board Members
Podcast: Club Governance - CMAA - June 12, 2018 - Power Point presentation
Directing Directors - Board Best Practices
Feature article in Club Management pertaining to working with directors. Both practical and soft skills.
While this deals with an issue of construction, the point is about influencing decision makers.
When things are not going perfectly and changes need to be made.
For Tough Relationships, There Are Solutions
Micromanaging and working with a tough president. Several successful managers weigh in on how they handled the situation.
Real life club where the directors actually were recalled from service and replaced - the names were changed to protect the innocent.
Never a great statement to hear and in this case - "You're Fired!" Some suggestions on how to contend with these situations.
Topics discussed from the 2016 CMAA World Conference Seminar
Holding productive meets for staff, committees and directors
This was interesting because the issue was "peanuts," but the substance is actually a Board reversing its agreement on roles and responsibilities
New president getting into the weeds...
Expansive Representation of One
Probably the biggest problem in club governance and leadership
On dues, that is. A survey of managers reveals thoughts on changing dues
Why We Don't Make Money in Food and Beverage
Article gleaned from research on the topic.
Primary topic is governance
Situation where directors commit a criminal act and are not covered by insurance.
Motivation
Budgeting: “Gotta Make Some Cuts”
Motivating staff to create the appropriate budget
Using the proper incentives for the type of person and situation - specifically pertains to Membership recruitment
Using the correct tactic to create an atmosphere where staff can be motivated - one size does not fit all.
Motivation needs to be attuned to the receiver's needs.
My favorite article - knowing your target for motivation.
New Manager Transition
Perspectives on Club Executive Transitions - Phillip Mike - Club Director Fall 2017
A Manager's Staying Power - CMAA Executive Career Services
Checklist for a New Manager - Joseph Basso, MCM, CCE