Stand-Up

Day 258 (108) – Feedback Sandwich

I work with some contractors at work, and one of them wasn’t doing so well so I decided I would try coaching him some.  Well one way they say to give negative feedback is to put it in a feedback sandwich – say something positive that they do, then the negative thing, and then follow with another positive thing.

It’s like a turkey sandwich, except instead of turkey, it’s a slap in the face.  But the idea is that you soften the blow of the negative stuff with the positive.  Mmm, delicious bread, OH GOD this is disgusting, mmm bread again.

Well I tried this, and I have to say it’s not all that effective.  I was talking to my contractor, and despite using the method, he still wasn’t happy:

Hey, Steven, can I give you some feedback?  First, I just have to say that … is a really nice shirt, way to go.  Second, you’re a terrible programmer, you’re fired, and your wife is leaving you for me.  Third, you are great at sitting down, man you rarely miss the chair, nice work.

He just got upset, can you believe that?  He was like “What the hell was that?”  So I tried to explain, it’s a feedback sandwich, it’s like knowledge as a snack.   Apparently he’s not a fan of sandwiches, which is weird because he gave me one made of knuckle…