Reinventing the Feedback Sandwich

One of the most challenging parts of becoming a manager or a leader is delivering feedback. And because it can be so difficult, many of us fall back on what people have called the “sandwich” approach to giving feedback: where you sandwich negative feedback in between doses of positive feedback, with the bread representing the positive and the meat representing the negative.

This is the traditional form of sandwich feedback – and probably something many of you have heard of, or likely even done. But this got me thinking: Sure we often use a sandwich approach to giving feedback, but is there really only one way of doing this? Is there only one version of sandwich feedback out there?

infographic

Few of us love to give negative feedback, but as you see there are many different options on the menu.   The key in the end is to pick one that works for you, enables you to deliver the message the other person needs to hear, and to do so with honesty and dignity.

Have you ever tried a sandwich approach for giving feedback?   What’s your favorite version?

Related Posts

3 Most Common Ways American Entrepreneurs Are Culturally Blind

3 Most Common Ways American Entrepreneurs Are Culturally Blind

There is a significant problem in corporate America today with foreign workers and it’s not the problem Donald Trump is obsessed with (that there are too many foreign workers).

Read More

REACH Interview Series: Tom Kolditz

REACH Interview Series: Tom Kolditz

Tom Kolditz had quite a few things to say about leadership!

Read More

A Ray of Hope

A Ray of Hope

Donald Trump is the President of the United States.  And it’s sent shockwaves through tens of millions of Americans, who never thought they’d hear those words. 

Read More

Building Relationships in Cultures that Don’t Do Small Talk

Building Relationships in Cultures that Don’t Do Small Talk

Michael has been in Frankfurt for about a week and is really missing his home office in Chicago.

Read More