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Concept: Equality is Equity
s if a global pandemic wasn’t enough for 2020, we also faced the hard truth that there are clearly social inequalities present in our society. Inequalities that, without seeing the color of a person’s skin or hearing the accent in their voice, would never exist. Inequalities that are present within the communities we manage and among the team members we lead. But how do we break through these inequalities, and who takes the first step?
Now that you have uncovered your unconscious biases and learned the level of impact of your voice, what do you do next? A simple suggestion would be to have a conversation with your team of employees about their thoughts on the topic. Ask for tangible ways you can better promote inclusion among the team. Listen to those who feel comfortable sharing their journey and experience. Begin to truly foster a feeling of trust and acceptance.
Community Managers are, by definition, a leader, someone who can influence others through their words and actions. This is a person that will oversee a diverse team of employees and vendors, work closely with the residents of the communities, and consistently communicate with their co-workers and allies within their professional circle. The question then becomes, how do Community Managers use their influence to spark the change needed to improve the feeling of belonging within their communities, creating equality for all? They start small, understanding that this is a journey that will take time. The first step could be as simple as taking a moment to self-reflect and discover any unconscious biases you may have. Do you tend to favor one employee over another? Do you trust one vendor more than another? Why is that? If you are faced with a decision between two equally qualified employees, what would your deciding factor be? It’s questions such as these that can open our eyes and heart to discover what we, as leaders, need to work on.
Next, think about how this conversation surrounding inclusion and belonging affects residents of the community. These are individuals who moved into the neighborhood or property that you manage, to find a community among their neighbors. Your role as the Community Manager is to foster that sense of community and inclusion, which could be done through items such as social events, newsletters, social media posts, community flyers and mailings. Your role is to also take a step back and look at the perception of your community. Do you see resident participation from all cultural backgrounds? Would an outside observer see diversity amongst the various team member positions? These are two questions Community Managers that should be consistently reviewed are, by definition, a to ensure you’re constantly evolving leader, someone who and not becoming complacent.
can influence others through their words and actions.
The second step is to review the opportunity you’ve been given in your role as a Community Manager by being a leader not only to your employees, but to your residents. Harriet Tubman said, “Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” Being a leader of such a diverse group of individuals gives you the ability to make your mark on the world.
Stronger leaders build stronger communities. It takes strength to reflect on the current situation and make the commitment for improvement. In the end, our teams and our residents will benefit from our personal growth. Written by: Katie Ruby, PCAM®, AMS®, CMCA®, ARM® Director of Residences Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore 410-223-1401 katie.ruby@fourseasons.com
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