The sandwich feedback method: Not very tasty

Abstract

When correcting employee behavior and providing negative performance comments, managers are often encouraged to begin with something positive and are frequently instructed to use the “sandwich method” in which one inserts (or sandwiches) criticism between two positive remarks. Although offered by many well-intentioned management trainers and organizations as an effective and humane way for bosses to communicate how badly an employee is doing something, this commonly used method may be undermining both the supervisor’s feedback and the relationship with their workers. After reviewing this method of corrective guidance, the authors discuss why leaders use the sandwich approach, the problems presented by this technique, and then offer an effective alternative procedure managers can use to address problematic workplace conduct.

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