The feedback sandwich. initiating the feedback process can be a stressful situation if done incorrectly. However, as managers we have to make tough decisions with our employees. In the world of giving feedback time is the essence. You want to be comfortable when giving feedback. When you are comfortable, your employee will be comfortable.
The feedback sandwich is a method of introducing feedback to your employee surrounded by praise. It starts the conversation by briefly reviewing a positive aspect your employee is currently demonstrating. It could be a good attitude, a well executed sales pitch etc. Be careful not to spend too much time praising at the beginning because your meet a feedback message will be diluted. Remember, the reason why you're speaking to your employee at this time is to deliver feedback. Next, deliver the opportunity for growth in a positive tone.
Avoid accusing your employee but remain focused on the message you must deliver. In the next lesson we will discuss how to structure constructive criticism. For now remember, this is the largest part of your dialogue. Finally, close the feedback session on a positive note. Praise the employee on the strength they have or tell them you are confident they're going to adjust and be successful. This helps the employee overcome the embarrassment that is associated with receiving feedback.
To review, you want to structure your feedback sandwich by starting with praise, then delivering the opportunity for growth and closing with praise again, this is easy to remember if you recall the acronym pop. Here's a sample delivery. Praise. JOHN, your sales attempts this month are doing well because you're asking good probing questions up front and I appreciate your work. opportunity for growth. Here's something I noticed when a customer says no to your attempt, you immediately stop selling and abandon the sales attempt.
This is where you should use more questions. As a result your sales percentage is one of the lowest on the team. Praise. I know you are capable of asking more questions because you build good rapport with our customers.