Why HOA Boards Should Celebrate Small Wins—And How It Builds Stronger Communities

There’s a surprising truth I’ve learned in over two decades of working with homeowner associations: the most effective boards aren’t just good at solving problems—they’re also good at noticing progress.

That might sound simple, even trivial, when you’re facing rising insurance premiums, aging infrastructure, or contentious meetings. But recognizing and celebrating small victories isn’t self-indulgence. It’s a critical leadership tool—especially in the high-stakes, volunteer-driven world of HOA and condo board governance.

Why Boards Struggle to Celebrate

In community management, the pressure never really lifts. Even after resolving a budget shortfall or completing a long-awaited capital project, there’s always another challenge on the horizon—an inspection, a complaint, a deadline.

I remember a board president I worked with in a mid-sized Carolina town—let’s call her Sheila. Her community had just completed a major stormwater repair project under budget and with minimal disruption. But at the final board meeting, she brushed right past the success. “We’ve got to move on to the clubhouse roof,” she said, barely pausing to acknowledge what the team had just achieved.

This kind of forward-only motion is common. Many board members feel awkward drawing attention to success, especially in volunteer roles where public praise is rare and scrutiny is constant. Others think celebrating wins could appear boastful to neighbors who are more vocal about what’s broken than what’s been fixed.

But that mindset can lead to burnout—and worse, it deprives communities of the confidence and energy that comes from building on momentum.

The Real Costs of Skipping Celebration

Leadership researcher Lan Nguyen Chaplin writes that “when leaders constantly push forward without stopping to mark their progress, they risk more than burnout. They deprive themselves of a buffer against stress, a source of motivation, and the mood lift that fuels creativity and good judgment.”

That’s not just corporate wisdom—it applies directly to HOA life.

When your board takes time to reflect on a successful vote, a resolved dispute, or a well-run event, it sends a message: We’re making progress. We’re not just managing problems—we’re improving our neighborhood.

And that message matters, especially when trying to keep volunteers engaged and neighbors informed.

Three Simple Ways HOA Boards Can Celebrate Wins

1. Make Progress Visible

After finishing a big project—whether it’s a repaving effort or rewriting outdated bylaws—don’t just file the final report. Share the milestone.

Create a short community update with before-and-after photos. Thank the volunteers, the manager, and the vendors involved. If you work with a professional management company like AMG, your dedicated board liaison can help craft that message and distribute it effectively—so it lands with the right tone.

2. Protect Space for Reflection

Use the last five minutes of each board meeting to go around and name one thing that went well—big or small. This can be especially powerful during stressful periods. As one AMG-managed board in the Carolinas shared during a training session, this practice helped rebuild trust and morale after a contentious assessment decision.

3. Redefine Celebration

Celebration doesn’t have to mean a banner or a party. Sometimes it’s just acknowledging that you’ve crossed something off a long and difficult list. One treasurer we worked with used to email the board a “quiet win of the week”—a small financial oversight that was corrected or a reserve fund target met. Those quick notes built confidence without fanfare.

Why It Matters

HOA boards often deal with the emotional weight of decisions that affect people’s homes, finances, and quality of life. That’s no small burden.

When boards take time to pause and appreciate their efforts, they build resilience—not just for themselves, but for their communities.

At AMG, we’ve seen how regular reflection and recognition lead to healthier boards and smoother operations. It’s part of our Board Empowerment Tools and Community Engagement Programs—strategies designed to make sure your board isn’t just surviving, but thriving.

So, whether you’ve just finalized next year’s budget, resolved a months-long dispute, or got everyone to agree on new pool furniture—take a moment. Celebrate the win.

Because the more your board sees what’s working, the more capable you feel when the next challenge arrives.

About the Author

Paul Mengert is the Founder and CEO of Association Management Group (AMG), a Carolina-based company that has provided professional community association management services for over 40 years. A graduate of Harvard Business School’s OPM and a nationally recognized leader in the community management industry, Paul has trained thousands of HOA board members and managers and board members across the country. Under his leadership, AMG has become known for manager longevity, board empowerment, transparent financial reporting, and a reputation for responsiveness. Paul is a longtime member of the Community Associations Institute (CAI) and a strong advocate for ethical, well-governed, and resident-focused communities.