Characteristics of an Effective Chairperson
As Chairperson it is your role to ensure the committee works effectively. Well run committees are fun, memorable, streamlined, and purposeful. Poorly run committees can be frustrating experiences for all.
Some key qualities of a Chairperson:
* Speak clearly and succinctly.
* Be sensitive to the feelings of members.
* Be impartial and objective.
* Start and finish on time.
* Be approachable.
* Be tactful.
* Be able to delegate.
* Show an interest in members viewpoints.
* Have an ability to respect peoples confidences.
* Ensure decisions are made and recorded.
Some key qualities of a Chairperson:
* Speak clearly and succinctly.
* Be sensitive to the feelings of members.
* Be impartial and objective.
* Start and finish on time.
* Be approachable.
* Be tactful.
* Be able to delegate.
* Show an interest in members viewpoints.
* Have an ability to respect peoples confidences.
* Ensure decisions are made and recorded.
Some Do's and Don'ts:
A good Chairperson will:
Make all members feel valued. Strive for consensus, using his/her casting vote sparingly. Listen to others. Encourage new faces on the committee. Plan for the future. Make new members feel welcome. Allow others to take responsibility. Keep calm. Know when to stand down. |
A good Chairperson will not:
Be the person who talks most at the meeting. Make all the decisions. Allow one or two people to dominate meetings. Cut people out of discussions. Allow meetings to be unproductive. Make people feel foolish or useless. Force people to contribute to discussions. Lose his/her temper. Stay too long. |