We’ve been addressing the best practices in giving employee feedback this month, and last week someone told me that she likes to sandwich the feedback between two complements. Like a delicious cookie…
Here’s why I advise against that:
- The complements will most likely be “lost” or not heard by the receiver. Once he or she hears correcting criticism, all thought go to that. The words containing the positives get drowned out.
- When sandwiching, even if you sincerely mean the complement, chances are the recipient will minimize the importance of those two statements. The risk is that they will think you are throwing them a bone.
- Once you, the boss, has set the appointment to they want you to get to business. They can be distracted by complementary words, awaiting the other shoe to drop.
In my view, it is best to keep them separate. Just think, that way you’ll have three touches rather than one, and two of the three are motivating and positive.
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