The Hidden Cost of Letting Personalities Undermine Clubs, Groups, and Access
By Del Albright
I’ve coined the term Egonomics to describe the cost — both personal and collective — of letting egos and personalities rule our recreation. Left unchecked, they don’t just create tension; they quietly drive people away, weaken clubs, and ultimately undermine access.
If any of these sound familiar, you’re not alone:
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- Is your club at odds with a neighboring club?
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- Are you attending fewer meetings than you used to?
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- Do you feel like your input doesn’t matter?
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- Are politics, cliques, or personalities wearing you down?
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- Have you thought about walking away altogether?
In short — are egos ruling your recreation?
Egos Aren’t the Enemy — Until They Are
Let me be clear: egos are not inherently bad. Most off-pavement, motorized recreation is built by people with strong egos and personalities. That’s often why things get done. These are the folks who step up, lead projects, organize events, and fight for trails.
But too often, the same strengths become liabilities.
When personalities start driving decisions instead of purpose…
When behavior pushes people out instead of pulling them in…
When “who” matters more than “what”…
That’s when egos stop serving the group — and start costing it.
In my travels across the country helping clubs organize, grow, and protect access, I’ve seen both ends of the spectrum. Many clubs thrive. But I’ve also seen good people drift away from good clubs — not because they didn’t care, but because they were tired of the friction.
That loss matters.
Why Local Clubs Matter More Than Ever
The future of motorized recreation depends on organized, informed, and engaged users. Period.
The more we work together — locally and collectively — the stronger our voice becomes. The more we fragment or alienate one another, the easier it is to marginalize us as a community.
There’s a reason anti-access groups live by the phrase “think globally, act locally.”
They understand that lasting impact happens one small step at a time — at the local level.
If we want sustainable, responsible access tomorrow, we need healthy, functional clubs today.
Making Swiss Cheese (One Hole at a Time)
In business and leadership training, there’s a concept often called the Swiss Cheese approach.
The idea is simple: when facing a complex problem, you don’t attack it all at once. You punch one hole at a time until the job is done.
Like a long trail or a tough climb, progress happens step by step.
That’s where local involvement matters most. Each club meeting, cleanup, conversation, or compromise punches another hole. Over time, those small efforts add up to the bigger picture — responsible, sustainable motorized access for all.
But that only works if people stay engaged.
Before You Walk Away — Speak Up
If personalities are causing problems in your club or group, I encourage you to do one thing before quitting:
Address it.
Not online, or through rumors and side conversations, but face-to-face.
Let people know how you feel and what you expect. Give the group a chance to respond — and a chance to change.
There’s a saying I use often:
“A complaint is never legitimate until it’s voiced to someone who can fix it.”
Many leaders simply don’t know there’s a problem until someone speaks up. Silence doesn’t fix behavior — communication does.
And remember: the goal isn’t to change who someone is — only how they behave within the group. If a behavior is alienating others, it’s fair — and necessary — to address it.
Expectations Matter
Healthy groups don’t just share interests — they share expectations.
If something is getting in the way of your enjoyment or participation, say so. Clear expectations increase the chances that:
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- issues get resolved,
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- people stay involved,
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- and good volunteers don’t burn out.
That’s how we keep punching holes in that block of Swiss cheese — together.
A Simple Formula – The 3 F’s – for Dealing with Personality Problems
Step 1: Find Out
Recognize that clubs are made of people — and people come with differences. The first step is identifying what’s actually causing the problem, not just reacting to it. Find out what’s really going on.
Step 2: Focus
Separate the issue from the individual. It’s rarely Joe who’s the problem — it’s a behavior Joe is displaying. Address the behavior, not the person. Better yet, invite them to be part of the solution. Focus on the issue, most likely the real problem, not just the person.
Step 3: Facilitate
Volunteer organizations don’t run on rank or authority. They run on cooperation. Facilitation means smoothing the path, reducing resistance, and helping people help themselves. It’s a skill every leader — formal or informal — should develop.
The 3 F’s work – Find Out, Focus, and Facilitate. Try it.
The Bottom Line
Before you walk away, make sure you’ve truly tried to fix what’s broken.
We need strong clubs.
We need committed volunteers.
And we need people willing to speak up — respectfully and constructively — when something isn’t working.
Access doesn’t protect itself.
And egos, left unchecked, can cost us far more than they ever contribute.
MORE on Facilitation and Meetings.
