Three somewhat devious ways to get committees or boards to vote in your favor

This is interesting. I got an e-mail from an executive director who wanted to share a piece of advice anonymously. I don't condone these tactics, but you've got to admit...

Sometimes you've got an agenda item that needs a vote, and you just know the discussion is going to drag on and on. Sometimes you have a controversial item that is the right move for the organization, and you'd like to get to the vote as quickly as possible. Here are three ways to do that, from least devious to most:

1. Identify a friendly ally and ask them to call the question after a few minutes of discussion.
2. Prepare the longest, most detailed report, complete with PowerPoint about the thing being voted on and drone on and on about it. Raise the temperature in the room and darken it for added effect. Lull them to sleep and then ask for a motion. I've seen more than a few budgets passed this way without a question.
   
3. Schedule the vote on the thing you're trying to get passed for the very end of the meeting. Try to get some of the other agenda items to run over time. Someone will ensure a vote is taken at the first sign the meeting is about to run over.

I've actually seen all of these employed. Were they purposefully implemented, or did the meetings just unfold that way? Can't say for sure, but I've seen them in action and they work. I wouldn't recommend trying the second two ideas very often, because someone is sure to catch on eventually. But in a pinch, you might consider these your secret weapons.

Tagged: Association Management; Associations; CAE; Certified Association Executive