Prompt
You coordinate the Saturday volunteers at a neighborhood food bank that serves about 300 families a week. Marjorie has volunteered there for 15 years. She knows the inventory system better than anyone, and she owns the only van that can collect donations from local grocery stores on Saturday mornings. Three new volunteers tell you that she criticizes them sharply in front of clients, redoes their work without explaining why, and once told one of them to "go home if you can't keep up." They say they will quit if nothing changes, and the food bank has struggled to recruit volunteers all year. How would you handle this?
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After you practice: what this question tests and how to approach it
What this question tests
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Communication
- Critical thinking
How to approach this question
This MMI station tests how you handle a team conflict where the person causing harm is also the one the food bank can least afford to lose. Show that you'd hear from both sides before acting, starting with a private, respectful conversation with Marjorie rather than a confrontation. Name what each party needs: respect for the new volunteers, recognition of Marjorie's experience, and a food bank that keeps running for 300 families. Lay out options such as clear standards for how volunteers speak in front of clients, a defined training role for Marjorie, and a backup plan for the van. Commit to a plan with a follow-up date. If the station reveals that the complaint has another side, adjust your approach to address both problems instead of picking a winner.
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