Strict Boss or Absent Leader? The Real Crisis in Condo Management

“My boss is very strict.” 🚨

It’s a familiar complaint, often followed by another: “He micromanages.”

But what if we’re asking the wrong question? What if the real problem isn’t a leader who is too present, but one who is conspicuously absent?

Consider these real scenarios:

• At one condominium, 40% of the pool lights were faulty for weeks—a glaring safety hazard. Even more alarming, the ceiling beneath the pool had been leaking for over a year.
• At another estate, purchases were consistently split into smaller sums, deliberately kept just low enough to bypass fiduciary approval limits. Whether intentional or not, this practice sidelined governance and exposed the estate to significant financial risk.

These are not mere operational oversights. They are critical signals, flashing red lights indicating where stronger leadership presence is urgently needed.

The Broken Bridge: The Role of the Portfolio Manager

In condo management, the Portfolio Manager (some called it Team Manager) is designed to be the vital bridge between the upper management and on-site condo teams. They are responsible for supervising condo managers, ensuring standards are met and mitigating risks.

But when staff members share comments like:

• “He only stayed 10 minutes during the site visit.”
• “He told us not to call unless it’s a life-and-death emergency.”
• “We haven’t seen him in weeks.”

We are reminded of a fundamental truth: visibility and trust go hand in hand. An absent leader creates a vacuum where small issues fester into major crises.

Likability vs. Leadership: Raising the Bar

A well-liked manager who avoids conflict may win easy smiles. But effective leaders—those who truly protect assets and communities—go much further.

They understand that true leadership in strata management is defined by action:

• They Show Up Consistently: Their presence is regular and meaningful, not a rushed drive-by.
• They Listen and Coach: They engage with their team, understanding challenges and mentoring for improvement.
• They Take Action and Escalate: They enforce standards without fear, escalating critical issues to the management council with the resolve and evidence needed to get things done.
• They Follow Through: They ensure closure with resolve, not just sending another email reminder into the void.

Great Portfolio Managers don’t vanish. They build momentum and a culture of excellence through consistent presence, clarity of instruction and unwavering accountability.

The Critical Question for Every Managing Agent

So, let’s reframe the question from complaining about a strict boss to addressing a systemic issue:

How do we create a leadership culture that shows up before things break down?

The answer lies in prioritizing visible leadership. It’s about valuing leaders who are engaged, proactive and accountable—those who see their role not as an administrative checklist but as guardianship of multi-million dollar assets and the communities that live within them.

Investing in training these leaders isn’t an expense; it’s the most effective risk management strategy a strata property management company can have.

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Teo Poh Siang (Dr. Condo) is the Founder of Wisely 98 Pte Ltd. He provides expert consultancy for condos and trains tomorrow’s industry leaders in effective strata management and portfolio management in Singapore.

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