Comments on: How to Deliver a Criticism Sandwich

By: Isomorph

Isomorph — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 20:11:28 +0000

Another good way is to reformulate your criticism as problem/question.

Instead of saying ‘We don’t have time or money for your project’
your ask ‘How do we get time or money for that project?’
and instead of saying ‘B will newer work’ your ask ‘how can your get B to work’.

Question/criticize as specific and precise as possible.

By: Our Honor Defend » Evidently the eggnog hangover is strong for the hoops team (Dec.27.08)

Sun, 28 Dec 2008 00:14:36 +0000

[...] management-types that you or I may know or work for use the criticism sandwich in evaluating performance. I’m going to try it here, but it may look more like a criticism [...]

By: Matthew Lloyd

Matthew Lloyd — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:28:16 +0000

Hello David, you may also be interested in Robert Cialdini’s Stanford Dissertation podcast. It covers six influencers. I found it on itunes in the audiobooks section and now have it on my ipod.. Very informative and entertaining.

By: David

David — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 16:02:15 +0000

Burt – I’m reading Yes at the moment and I think its brilliant.

By: Burt Munro

Burt Munro — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 13:08:09 +0000

James refers to Robert Cialdini’s book ‘Influence’. Cialdini has collaborated on another book on persuasion recently. It’s called ‘Yes’ and has 50 proven techniques for altering people’s behavior. We can add these 50 to our criticism sandwich skills.

By: Kendal

Kendal — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 08:31:19 +0000

While I can’t argue whether the exact approach is good or bad, I love the comic. And in general, I do think it is better to provide praise and “sandwich” the criticism in the middle, so you begin and end on a high note. Kendals last blog post..Henderson, Nevada

By: David Leonhardt - The Happy Guy

David Leonhardt - The Happy Guy — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:08:27 +0000

What I want to know is whether he eats sandwiches? I think it is key not to make up something just to fit a quota of god and bad. And if somebody is really messing up, it takes a pretty big, sloppy mop. However, I do agree with the principle...if I only I could follow it more often! David Leonhardt - The Happy Guys last blog post..Happiness in the L.A. Times

By: Can you take criticism? | How to Have Great Self Confidence

Can you take criticism? | How to Have Great Self Confidence — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 22:26:08 +0000

[...] everyone agreed with last weeks criticism sandwich, some feeling giving praise at the same time weakens the message. Like everything I write on this [...]

By: David

David — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:39:08 +0000

Syd (I'm not going to call you BMW!) I think thats a very valid point. And as you say, considering the "sandwich" as tool to use as appropriate is probably the best approach. Davids last blog post..How to Deliver a Criticism Sandwich

By: BMW Sydney

BMW Sydney — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:34:13 +0000

This may represent one tool in the management tool box but as James indicates, it’s not likely to work with everyone.

People who have low self-awareness or are narcissistic (for example) will hear the praise and miss the ‘reprimand.’ Others, including cynics or negative thinkers may miss the positives and only hear the reprimand.

Interesting post!