The Human Side of Community Management

Behind every well-run community is a manager balancing countless responsibilities—owners, vendors, Boards, compliance, emergencies, and the day-to-day details that keep communities functioning smoothly. It’s a role that requires professionalism, patience, and consistency, often under pressure and with little visibility into the human side of the work.

We wanted to share the following reflection from one of our managers because it offers insight into something boards don’t always see: how personal well-being directly affects professional performance. Strong management isn’t just about systems and processes—it’s about the people doing the work, showing up every day ready to lead, communicate, and problem-solve on behalf of their communities.

This article is a personal story, but it reflects a broader truth about our industry: when managers are supported, healthy, and grounded, communities benefit. We’re proud to share Jennifer’s journey.

— myStreet Community Management

For years, I showed up to my HOA communities with a smile, a packed schedule, and a quiet exhaustion I refused to acknowledge. My role requires patience, problem-solving, communication, and being “on” from the moment my phone rings in the morning until the last email goes out at night. I interact with owners, vendors, and multiple Boards every single day, and like many of us in this field, I poured from a cup that was running dangerously low.

Behind the professionalism and the deadlines, my health was quietly slipping. I struggled with chronic fatigue, inflammation, and the emotional weight of trying to balance life, work, and everyone else’s expectations. I was giving everything I had, and it was costing me. Meetings felt heavier. Small issues felt bigger. And although I did my job well, internally I knew I wasn’t operating at the level I knew I could.

My turning point wasn’t dramatic; it was honest. I simply realized that if I didn’t make myself a priority, my work, my relationships, and my future would suffer. So, I made a choice: I began a health journey focused not just on weight, but on healing, physically, mentally, and emotionally.

I changed the way I approached food, sleep, and stress. I embraced tools that supported my metabolic health. I learned to set boundaries and recognized the power of saying, “I need a moment.” What surprised me most wasn’t just the physical transformation but how my professional life changed right alongside it.

As my health improved, so did my clarity. My patience increased. My communication has strengthened. My confidence has returned. I listened better, responded calmer, and managed challenges with a level of groundedness I hadn’t felt in years. I showed up for my boards and communities, not drained, but present. Not overwhelmed, but capable. Not surviving the workload but leading through it.

HOA management is a demanding field, and it can take a toll if we don’t take care of ourselves. My journey taught me that personal wellness isn’t separate from professional success; they fuel each other. Today, I show up as a healthier, stronger version of myself, and the communities I serve benefit from that transformation as much as I do.

This journey isn’t over, but it has already reshaped my life and my work. I hope my story reminds others, especially those who give so much of themselves every day, that taking care of your health isn’t selfish. It’s leadership. And it’s the foundation for showing up as the best version of yourself for every person you impact along the way.

At myStreet, we believe that investing in our managers—supporting their growth, wellness, and sustainability in this profession—ultimately strengthens the communities we serve. This reflection offers a reminder that leadership is not only about policies, deadlines, and decisions, but also about resilience, balance, and showing up fully prepared to serve.

Thank you, Jennifer, for sharing and inspiring others.