Chapter 11NO MORE SH!T SANDWICHES Have better 1:1s with your team
Think back to chapter 5 where we discussed some of the tripwires that trigger Red mind when we receive feedback.
- Tripwire #1: We don't believe it — ‘They're wrong!’
- Tripwire #2: It depends who it's from — ‘Who are they to tell me that?’
- Tripwire #3: It's personal — ‘Maybe they're right. Maybe I'm an impostor.’
Being aware of these tripwires means we can now take a more nuanced approach to how we give feedback. And by more nuanced, I mean let's get rid of the sh!t sandwich. You know what I mean: negative feedback sandwiched neatly between two positive points.
Your direct report comes into their performance review hoping for some positive feedback because they feel they work hard for the organisation and it would mean a lot to them for that to be acknowledged and to be told they are a valued member of the team.
You may have been on a training program or read a book or blog post that told you, when giving feedback, start with a positive. So, you start with a positive. Then you guide the session to a point where you can offer some constructive criticism before finishing, with a flourish, with some more positive affirmations about your direct report.
Et voilà, a ...
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