When I think about a sandwich I don’t think about food but a way to deliver difficult feedback. I start by telling the person something they do well. Where possible I try to make it as close to the topic we are discussing. After we have discussed this for a minute or two I then introduce my difficult feedback. Where possible I look at the big picture of the issue discussing how the problem impacts the person and others. If appropriate, I will also give some ideas to help the person to move forward and make the changes required. To complete my feedback I would ask the person if they needed anything from me and remind them of the positives of what they are doing.
Often feedback is very difficult to hear but I find the more open the discussion, the better the outcome. By using the feedback sandwich, the person becomes less defensive because the news has been softened by positive feedback. It is a system that works well and has an overflowing impact of developing respect between the people involved.
A win/win for everyone, the feedback sandwich is:
Candid positive feedback, is how I learn.
Excellent advice.
Kind Regards – K
So true. Feedback gives opportunity for growth and insights into how we present ourselves that we often don’t realise.
A most timely post, Max…I had to take a company that’s working for me to task the day after you posted it. Your sandwich technique – which I hadn’t come across before – proved a most effective to successfully engage them, adapt their behaviour and move back into a collaborative approach…
Glad to spread the love. I love its practical adaptation to any situation.