Management Tip of the Day: Don't Sandwich Negative Feedback

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile MARCH 21, 2013 Don't Sandwich Negative Feedback When you must deliver criticism about someone's work, it's best to be direct rather than diplomatic. Avoid the all-too-common practice of mixing positive messages with negative ones. It's confusing to the recipient. Steer clear of the classic feedback "sandwich," which goes like this: good news, followed by bad news, ending with good news. Eating a sandwich with good bread — but bad meat in the middle — isn't too enjoyable. And while giving someone feedback in a considerate, contextualized, and balanced manner is good practice, you need to be very clear on the poor performance part or your message might get lost. It is often the most important aspect of a feedback session, so don't muddle it. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Have the Courage to Be Direct" by Anthony K. Tjan. Read the full post and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT How to Sell More: Tools and Techniques from Harvard Business Review HBR Press Book Over the last decade, technology has dramatically changed the role of salespeople at companies of all sizes. But one crucial fact remains: Sales is the most vital function of every business. The editors of Harvard Business Review have gathered advice from some of the world's top business professors, consultants, trainers, and sales managers. In these collected essays, you'll learn how to: (1) Effectively recruit, train, manage, and support these key employees, (2) Use smart pricing, promotions, and incentives to make your sales team more successful, (3) Avoid the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when pursuing their first sales, and (4) Master the daily challenges of selling, from planning a sales call to handling a potential customer's toughest questions. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Welcome Edits on Your Writing Try Out a Career by Volunteering Survive Networking Events by Being Generous 3 Ways to Use Persuasion to Get What You Need Eliminate Jargon from Your Next Presentation Make Your Writing Chronological Make the Most of Your Downtime Change Small Things, Not Your Entire Culture Build a Better Online Network Don't Make a Career Move You'll Regret All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's 10 Must Reads Boxed Set HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations HBR Guide to Better Business Writing HBR Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >> Android >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2013 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)