The following text is adapted from a workplace management study.Several team members at a research facility have recently begun avoiding...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
The following text is adapted from a workplace management study.
Several team members at a research facility have recently begun avoiding one-on-one performance meetings and actively requesting alternative supervisors for their project evaluations. This behavioral shift stems from their experiences with Dr. Martinez, whose approach to professional feedback prioritizes comprehensive accuracy over diplomatic communication. While her critiques contain valuable insights about colleagues' work performance, the unfiltered directness of her delivery method creates significant discomfort among staff members. Rather than viewing the avoidance as problematic, Dr. Martinez interprets these reactions as confirmation that her unwavering commitment to rigorous professional standards is achieving its intended effect.
Based on the text, what is true about Dr. Martinez's colleagues?
They respect Dr. Martinez's expertise but prefer more collaborative evaluation methods.
They are likely uncomfortable with Dr. Martinez's direct evaluation style.
They lack sufficient experience to benefit from Dr. Martinez's detailed feedback.
They are too busy with their own projects to prioritize performance discussions.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Several team members at a research facility have recently begun avoiding one-on-one performance meetings and actively requesting alternative supervisors for their project evaluations." |
|
| "This behavioral shift stems from their experiences with Dr. Martinez, whose approach to professional feedback prioritizes comprehensive accuracy over diplomatic communication." |
|
| "While her critiques contain valuable insights about colleagues' work performance, the unfiltered directness of her delivery method creates significant discomfort among staff members." |
|
| "Rather than viewing the avoidance as problematic, Dr. Martinez interprets these reactions as confirmation that her unwavering commitment to rigorous professional standards is achieving its intended effect." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Dr. Martinez's direct feedback approach, while containing valuable insights, creates enough discomfort that colleagues actively avoid working with her, though she views this as validation of her high standards.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? What is true about Dr. Martinez's colleagues based on the text
What type of answer do we need? A factual statement that we can directly support with evidence from the passage
Any limiting keywords? Content Genre: Business/Professional, Content Format: Text-only, Question Type: Simple Inference, Language Complexity: Moderate
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- We need to focus on what we actually know about the colleagues from the passage
- The key facts are: they're avoiding one-on-one meetings with Dr. Martinez, they're requesting alternative supervisors, and the passage explicitly states this creates "significant discomfort among staff members"
- The passage also tells us her delivery method is characterized by "unfiltered directness" which is the source of their discomfort
They respect Dr. Martinez's expertise but prefer more collaborative evaluation methods.
- Claims they "respect" her expertise and want "collaborative" methods
- The passage mentions her insights are "valuable" but doesn't indicate the colleagues respect her expertise
- No mention of collaboration as their preferred alternative
They are likely uncomfortable with Dr. Martinez's direct evaluation style.
- Directly matches the passage's statement that her "unfiltered directness" creates "significant discomfort among staff members"
- Explains their avoidance behavior perfectly
They lack sufficient experience to benefit from Dr. Martinez's detailed feedback.
- Suggests they lack experience to benefit from her feedback
- The passage never mentions experience levels
- The issue is her delivery method, not their ability to understand
They are too busy with their own projects to prioritize performance discussions.
- Claims they're too busy for performance discussions
- Nothing in the passage suggests time constraints are the issue