What do you think of when you hear the words, "Let's form a committee"?... You too? Yeah, it's usually so dreadful. Like that time in college when you were assigned a group project and you knew that you were going to have to pull the weight of someone else in the group and they were still going to get the same grade as you. It's awful, no one likes it. Committee work can feel like the equivalent of a group project in the working world, but it doesn't have to. Committees can be great if you have a number of factors.
The Right People
Finding the people with the right motivation and expertise and/or skills for your committee is essential. Someone that has the right skills and expertise, but is not motivated to participate in your committee will leave you banging your head against the wall. It's difficult to motivate someone that has been "voluntold" to serve on your committee. Of course, having someone that has no expertise and isn't motivated to assist should be avoided like the plague.
Someone that is highly motivated, but doesn't bring the right set of expertise brings you a little closer to what you're looking for. This type of person is likely willing to do just about anything that is asked of them, which makes for a great soldier that can punch out a task list.
The best committees bring together people that are both willing and have expertise in what you're trying to accomplish. If you can find the right people with the right expertise, this is a huge value-added to your work.
The Right Expectations
Once you have a committee that is committed and knowledgeable, it's time to set everyone up for success. The best committees have a set goal, timeline, effective communication, and understand the expectations. Everyone feels better if they have a job to do and if they understand where they fit in the larger picture.
Having an agenda for your committee meetings always helps to keep people on track. During the meeting, someone should take notes on items that are assigned, and people should be made to feel responsible for their tasks. If the expectation is set that tasks are to be completed by the next meeting then you can better hold people accountable for their assignment.
The Right Tasks
People can often become soured over serving on committees because they may feel their voice isn't being heard, or their time isn't valued, or their skill set isn't being used. It's important to be thoughtful about the tasks and purpose of the committee. If a committee is there to simply voice their opinion then their opinion should be heard. If a committee is charged to spread the word about a program they should have people on it with that kind of expertise. Matching people with their expertise and allowing them to complete their tasks is empowering. Empowered committees are powerful.
The Right Incentive
Incentives can be helpful for people serving on a committee. While you will always find people that is intrinsically motivated and willing to do just about anything, others may not be. You may not feel you have a whole lot to offer someone that serves on a committee, but you would be surprised what people are motivated for. You can use things like one free registration to your event, or a discount for a promotional item, or just a thank you card or lunch. The gesture doesn't have to be grand, but it can be helpful to some people knowing that they are getting something for their work on a particular committee.
Conclusion
Committee work can be essential for moving a business or project forward. Just because you've had a bad experience on a committee doesn't mean that all committees are that way. The best committees are organized, communicate, value their members, and match their members with tasks that fit their skill sets and have leaders that say thank you. Team work makes the dream work.