An association task force plays an integral role in addressing specific challenges, championing new initiatives and driving the organization’s missions and goals. It is different than a committee as highlighted by my former colleague’s recent blog here. But when an association’s task force is divided on a particular issue it can hinder progress and create a roadblock in achieving the desired goals.
Here’s some tips on how to address and manage a divide among task force members to get them back on track and communicating to find common ground and achieve the association’s goal.
1. Identify the Root Cause of the “Great Divide”
Understand the Great Divide: Engage in open discussions to uncover the underlying reasons for the division. Are there differing opinions on strategy, priorities, or resource allocation? And discuss how the task force can find common ground and work through these differences. One of my earlier blogs highlights the top 10 tips for a successful task force meeting here.
Is it Personal? Sometimes, personal conflicts or differing communication styles can contribute to divisions. Sometimes decisions will need to be made based on the general consensus of the task force to help push it forward despite possible personal conflicts or difference of opinions.
2. Facilitate Open Communication
Encourage Dialogue: Create a safe and comfortable space for members to express their views and concerns without fear of judgment.
Active Listening: Ensure that all voices are heard, valued, and encourage active listening to promote understanding.
3. Revisit the Task Force’s Mission and Goals
Align on Objectives: Reaffirm the common goals of the task force. Emphasize the purpose of the task force and how each member’s contribution is vital to achieving the shared objectives.
Clarify Roles: Sometimes, division arises from unclear roles or overlapping responsibilities. Clarify each member’s role to reduce friction.
4. Seek Consensus or Compromise
Find Common Ground: Identify areas where members agree and build from there. Compromise on less critical issues if it helps achieve the larger goals.
Decision-Making Process: If consensus is difficult, establish a decision-making process, whether through voting, mediation, or an external arbitrator.
5. Consider Restructuring: Change Can be Good Sometimes!
Smaller Working Groups: If the task force is large and unwieldy, consider breaking it into smaller working groups focused on specific tasks or issues. Remember the old adage of too many cooks in the kitchen spoil the soup – sometimes when too many members are involved it can halt progression and result in too many differing opinions that will never settle on one or two areas.
Reassign Members: In some cases, it might be necessary to reassign members to roles or tasks that better align with their skills and perspectives. Always be respectful in this tactic as many task force members provide valuable input and have volunteered their time to help.
6. Evaluate and Adjust Accordingly
Monitor Progress: Regularly check in on the task force’s progress. Are the divisions healing, or do new issues arise? Have a plan in place if the task force cannot overcome their differences.
Be Open to Change: If the task force remains divided despite efforts, it might be necessary to rethink its composition, objectives, or approach.
7. Focus on the Bigger Picture
Keep the End Goal in Mind: Remind the task force of the larger mission of the association. The focus should always return to the bigger picture and the importance of working together to achieve it for the association.
By addressing divisions proactively and thoughtfully, a task force can overcome internal challenges and work more effectively toward its goals to benefit the association and its membership.