Criticism Sandwich Is Off the Menu

 

We’ve probably all heard about the criticism sandwich, a piece of constructive criticism sandwiched between two compliments. However, research has shown the sandwich is not effective and usually is only a way to make the person giving the feedback feel better. It doesn’t necessarily help the receiver of the feedback. 

David Yeager, PhD describes the Mentor’s Dilemma as being hard to simultaneously criticize someone and motivate them because criticism can crush a young person’s confidence.

As a coach, I have often felt this dilemma. Countless times I have stood on a field with an athlete overtalking and providing non-related praise because I was nervous to provide clear and transparent feedback on where they needed to improve. Simply put, I didn’t want to hurt their feelings. 

I always knew this approach didn’t really go over very well. The athletes saw right through it and the criticism sandwich, while intended to be helpful, didn’t have the impact I was looking for. What I’ve learned over the years from coaching 5 year olds to college athletes, is that when you demonstrate you care about your athletes, they respond well to truthful and specific feedback, and the research supports this.

So why does the Criticism Sandwich not land well with young athletes:

• When you try to ‘soften the blow’ of criticism with two, not related, pieces of positive feedback, it leads the receiver confused (Adam Grant 2024). Should I believe I’m doing a good job because you gave me two positives and only one negative? Should I keep doing more of the positives, or stop doing the behavior you criticized?
• The Criticism Sandwich leaves the receiver feeling like the compliments are not meaningful and were just made up to make it easier to hear the criticism. (Kim Scott, Radical Candor)