Don't forget the shit sandwich

On giving - and receiving - feedback.

I’m sure you’ve heard of the ‘shit sandwich’, which is a careful way to deliver feedback, sandwiching the bit someone doesn’t want to hear between two positive comments.

So, it might be:

Thanks so much for this idea you sent over. I love the way you’ve structured your argument. I can’t quite see that this will persuade them to do X. But it’s a really good starting point.

The simple psychology of it is that when someone opens with a positive about our work, we’re in. We want to hear.

We will then be more receptive to the ‘constructive criticism’ in the middle.

And ending on a positive leaves us feeling hopeful. We will feel more inclined to return to the work and improve it.

The editor of my last book, Raise your SQ, was a pro at giving feedback.

She delivered it so skilfully and with so much praise at the start and end that I was eager to make the changes she was asking for.

It was the same with the editor of my first two books, actually.

But occasionally, you might have a client who doesn’t know about the shit sandwich.