In the fast-paced world of business, effective communication is a key skill that sets successful leaders apart.
Your ability to provide feedback that motivates and inspires is essential.
One powerful technique you can integrate into your leadership skills is Sandwich Feedback.
This is useful when providing feedback which uses sandwiching critical feedback between two layers of compliments.
The idea is to create more balanced and encouraging feedback so the receiver will be open to the areas for improvement.
In this blog, we’ll explore 7 tips tailored for career-oriented individuals (executives, employees, and managers) to help you enhance your communication skills.
In this way, you’ll foster a positive and growth-oriented work environment
1. Start on a Positive Remark
Open your feedback with genuine praise or acknowledgment.
People grow on recognition and beginning on a positive note gives off a better approach.
Highlight a recent achievement, a successful project, or a specific trait.
Make sure they know that you appreciate them.
For example, tell them that in the presentation you saw how they researched well for the subject matter.
2. Be Specific and Actionable
When it’s time to provide constructive feedback, be specific and focus on observable behaviors or actions.
Discuss the impact of their actions on the team or project.
Offer concrete suggestions for improvement.
They will acknowledge clear and actionable insights that they can apply immediately.
As an illustration, perhaps you want them to speak clearly.
They can do this by improving on speaking with the right pacing and pronouncing the words right.
3. Connect Feedback to Professional Growth
Explain your constructive feedback in the context of professional growth.
Career-oriented individuals are often driven by a desire for continuous improvement.
Clearly articulate how addressing the feedback can contribute to their personal and career growth.
In the same way, align their goals with the plans of the company.
From the previous example, you can explain that once they learn to speak clearly, they can be trusted with more important business presentations.
4. Focus on a Solutions-Based Approach
While addressing areas for improvement, always provide possible solutions or strategies.
Proactive feedback both explains the problems well and also offers a solution for improvement.
This approach empowers people with clarity and self-learning.
Using the same example, you can say they may learn free online content on how to speak clearly.
5. Listen Actively
Effective communication is a healthy exchange of giving and receiving.
Encourage open communication by actively listening to their responses.
When you clear things out, they will also be receptive to you.
Acknowledge their perspectives and concerns.
Show your commitment to a collaborative and mutually beneficial working relationship.
6. Highlight Positive Traits
As you conclude the feedback session, re-emphasize the positive qualities and strengths you mentioned at the beginning.
Reinforce their value to the team and the company.
People appreciate recognition for their contributions.
Reinforce their efforts as you balance the feedback so it will leave a lasting positive impression.
Remember how you started with a positive remark?
Highlight how you’ve seen the efforts by providing the details.
For example, say you notice how well-researched their presentation is.
Emphasise again that you appreciated they added statistics, recent articles, and news to their presentation.
7. Encourage Ongoing Communication
End the feedback session by assuring to provide ongoing communication and support.
People value leaders who are approachable and open to suggestions.
This approach fosters a culture of continuous improvement.
It also makes sure that feedback is a dynamic and evolving process.
Encourage them to share their thoughts, concerns, and ideas.
Give them opportunities to do it like sending you an email.
Sandwich Feedback can strengthen your interactions with your team members and other people in your workplace.
Use these tips in your communication strategy to empower and inspire those you’ll help toward their career success.
