Leadership and Human Capital

Dr. Raúl López Palomino

Title: The dilemma of the neighborhood board

Jose Luis Salvador Medina Romero A00354916

March, 2024 San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon.

Scenario: The Board Dilemma

The neighborhood board is faced with a challenging decision regarding the

future of a beloved local park, "Green Haven." The city has proposed to sell a portion
of the park to a developer to build new housing, citing the need for more residential
space due to the growing population. This proposal has divided the community and the
board members. Some members see the potential for economic growth and address
the housing shortage, while others fear the loss of green space will negatively affect
the community's quality of life. The discussions have become heated, with emotions
running high, including frustration, anger, sadness, and fear of community division.

Diagnosis of the Situation and Emotions

Emotional Diagnosis:
Board Members: Feelings of frustration and powerlessness due to the
pressure from city officials and potential conflict within the community.
Community Members: A mix of anger, sadness, and fear for the loss of
green space, impacting their quality of life and community identity.
Situational Diagnosis:
The dilemma presents a conflict between economic development and
preserving community space.
The potential division within the community and the board could lead to
long-term negative impacts on cohesion and trust.
Lack of clear communication and understanding of the community's desires
and concerns regarding the park and housing needs.

Action Plan

Immediate Steps:
Facilitate Open Forums: Organize community meetings to discuss the
proposal, ensuring all voices are heard. Utilize these forums to gauge community
sentiment and gather ideas.
Emotional Acknowledgment: Recognize and validate the emotions of all
parties involved, stressing the importance of finding a solution that considers the
community's well-being.
Short-Term Strategy:
Form a Task Force: Create a diverse group of board members, community
representatives, city officials, and experts in urban planning and environmental
conservation to explore alternatives.
Conduct Surveys: Use surveys to collect broader community input, ensuring
decisions are data-driven and representative of the majority's wishes.
Long-Term Initiatives:
Develop a Comprehensive Plan: Based on the task force's findings and
community feedback, draft a plan that balances development with green space
preservation, potentially identifying alternative sites for housing or proposing a
redesigned, multi-use green space.
 Community Engagement Program: Establish ongoing programs to involve the
community in the park's upkeep and decision-making, fostering a sense of
ownership and connection to the space.
Communication Plan:
Transparent Updates: Provide regular, clear updates on the board's actions,
discussions, and findings through community newsletters, forums, and social
media.
Feedback Loops: Create channels for continuous feedback, ensuring the
community feels heard and involved throughout the decision-making process.
Emotional Management Strategy:
Conflict Resolution Workshops: Offer workshops to board members and
community leaders on conflict resolution and emotional intelligence to better
navigate future disputes.
Community Building Activities: Organize events that strengthen community
bonds, focusing on shared goals and values beyond the immediate dilemma.

This action aims to strengthen the community and the board's resilience and
cohesiveness in the face of future challenges. By prioritizing open communication,
emotional acknowledgment, and inclusive decision-making, the board can navigate the
dilemma in a way that fosters trust and unity.

Evaluation

Includes a self-diagnosis based on self-knowledge.

• Doesn’t include: The scenario and action plan primarily focus on managing
community emotions and actions, without directly addressing self-diagnosis
based on self-knowledge of individual board members or the community
members' self-awareness. To incorporate this, board members could reflect on
their personal biases and values regarding green spaces and development,
affecting their approach to the situation.
Includes a self-diagnosis based on emotional intelligence.
• Does include: The action plan indirectly addresses emotional intelligence by
recognizing and validating the emotions of all parties involved and suggesting
conflict resolution workshops. These steps demonstrate an awareness of the
need to manage one's own emotions and the emotions of others effectively.
Includes a self-diagnosis based on social intelligence.
• Does include By proposing community forums, surveys, and feedback loops,
the action plan reflects an understanding of social dynamics and the
importance of navigating these relationships effectively. This demonstrates an
application of social intelligence in identifying and responding to the
community's collective emotions and perspectives.
Includes an action plan that has a self-development element.
• Does include: The suggestion to provide workshops on conflict resolution and
emotional intelligence for board members and community leaders incorporates
a self-development element. These workshops aim to enhance the individual's
capabilities in managing emotions, engaging in constructive dialogues, and
effectively resolving conflicts.
Includes an action plan that has a positive relationships element.
 • Does include: Several aspects of the action plan focus on building and
maintaining positive relationships, such as the organization of community
building activities, transparent communication, and involving the community in
decision-making processes. These actions are designed to strengthen
community bonds, ensure inclusivity, and foster a sense of shared purpose.

Recommendations for Improvement:

• Enhance Self-Diagnosis: Integrate explicit steps for individual board members

and community leaders to engage in self-reflection and self-assessment
exercises. This could involve identifying personal strengths, weaknesses, and
emotional triggers related to the scenario.
• Expand on Self-Development: Include specific self-development goals for
board members, such as improving negotiation skills, understanding urban
planning principles, or learning about sustainable development practices.
• Deepen Positive Relationships: Further develop strategies to build positive
relationships, not just during this dilemma but as a continuous effort. This could
involve regular community appreciation events, volunteer opportunities, and
collaborative projects with local organizations.