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Ask Amy: HOA president can't calm down callers

By Amy Dickinson, Tribune Content Agency on

Dear Amy: I'm president of my Home Owners Association, and generally enjoy the job in our 282-unit community.

I've noticed that ever since our area went on shelter-in-place, I've received several calls where the homeowner was extremely agitated. Often, they begin the conversation at high volume and also halfway through their sentence.

I'm guessing that this agitation is coronavirus-related and has little to do with what's happening in our community.

I'm an engineer with poor people skills.

Any suggestions on how I can calm down these callers?

-- HOA Helper

 

Dear Helper: I appreciate your question, and what you are trying to do for your community members.

During "normal" times, your engineering skills are probably an ideal fit when fulfilling your important function. Unfortunately, these times call upon all of us to practice new skills.

You would be wise to always keep in mind how anxious many people are right now, even if you are not.

Anxiety has a way of scrambling the thought process, as well as magnifying problems until they can seem overwhelming.

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