Sandwiching: 

A technique used by supervisors to try to soften feedback:

Scrape up a few nice words of appreciation to begin with
Deliver the feedback, the real message
Exit with some encouraging remarks that all too often fall flat…

Where to start? So many things off!

  1. Sandwiching can all too easily come off as blatantly manipulative, undermining trust and the supervisor’s reputation for authenticity. Also, the words before and after the feedback can feel strained and contrived, degrading both messages, mixed signals that create cognitive confusion.
  2. Praise and Feedback are two entirely different messages, both in type and in tone. They are distinct tools with different purposes; they don’t mix well, and the appropriate timing is usually different. Both are best delivered as real time as possible so rarely does the timing coincide! The caveat with feedback is that it should usually be shared privately and at times the instant moment is too emotionally charged for it to be effective. I’ve a rule of thumb that if it isn’t important enough to remember and speak of the next day, then perhaps it’s not important enough to mention at all? Too close to micromanagement?
  3. Which do you believe? When praise and correction are combined, neither are processed cleanly. Scientists call this ‘signal dilution’: ending on a positive doesn’t create clarity, rather it leaves the beneficiary bewildered and befuddled, at best bemused or puzzled, perplexed, or perturbed, perhaps even flustered and demoralized. The praise before and after the feedback becomes meaningless background noise.
  4. Praise becomes suspect; positive statements trigger a defensive reflex as people brace emotionally, wondering how long before the criticism starts? Organizational psychologists label this an anticipatory threat response, the supervisor’s misguided attempt to be kind simply training people to be guarded. When praise is used as a delivery mechanism for criticism, it loses all its motivational impact.

Closing Quotes:

“Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.” – Brené Brown

“Praise that is used instrumentally loses its power.” – Alfie Kohn

“The best feedback isn’t wrapped in fluff; it’s clear, fair, useful. By delivering praise and criticism separately, you ensure positive reinforcement is trustworthy. A direct, honest approach builds a culture of transparency and growth.” – Mark Murphy (edited)

As always, I share what I most want and need to learn. – Nathan S. Collier

Note: Every effort has been made to properly source any 3rd person material. I am, however, a voracious reader. If anyone finds any unattributed material, pls let me know asap and I will be delighted to give credit where credit is due.
“All intelligent thoughts have already been thought; what is necessary is only to try to think them again.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1749-1832