To address a clash between staff leadership and volunteer leadership on priorities, what approach is recommended?

• A. Show deference and respect to staff, and encourage dialogue to reach agreement.
• B. Always side with volunteers.
• C. Dismiss staff input.
• D. Eliminate staff involvement.

Answer: (A)

When staff and volunteers disagree on priorities, the best approach is to bring them together in a respectful, facilitated dialogue aimed at reaching a shared plan. Staff often know what is practical and resource-feasible, while volunteers bring strategic, mission-aligned priorities. By showing deference to staff, you acknowledge their operational expertise, and by encouraging open discussion, you give volunteers a voice in shaping priorities. This combination builds trust, reduces resentment, and increases the likelihood that decisions are both ambitious and doable, leading to smoother implementation.

Practically, set up a facilitated session with clear objectives, present relevant data on resources and constraints, and work toward a draft, prioritized plan with assigned owners and milestones. If consensus is hard to reach, use a transparent, agreed-upon decision process within the governance structure rather than sidelining either group, ensuring both input and accountability are preserved.

Choosing to consistently side with one group, dismiss staff input, or remove their involvement undermines collaboration and can lead to decisions that are impractical or lack buy-in, disrupting operations and harming the organization’s ability to achieve its goals.