Sandwhich Technique - Management's favorite
Have you encounter a session with your Manager and he tells you that, "You have been doing pretty well, I like the quality of your job, but lately your project updates are delayed, perhaps you may want to improve on that". What does this mean to you ? For me it means Im doing very well and everyone are very happy about my job. This is called "Sandwhich Technique"where most of the MNC companies are using the techniques to divert the exact message that need to relayed to their downliners. Basically the manager’s main message is "Im unhappy with your project updates , Can you get that done ASAP ? "
Many scared that this might pull down the morale of their staff and make them uneasy to be very blunt and upfront. I personally think that this technique do helps but not all the time. If one is not performing well, pull him to the room and say it right on the face that your performance is bad and need to be improved. There isn’t a need for compliments at all or better still beating around the bush.
Whenever your subordinates do a good job praise them wholeheartedly and when they are not say it upfront so that they can correct their mistakes.
Praise them with the word starting from " I " not "You" ,e.g " I liked the way you manage the contract negotiation " Instead of "You manage the contract negotiation well" , it makes a lot of difference isn’t it ?
Good insight on this "sandwich technique". From my point of view, it really depends on the individual staffs. A good manager will need to really understand the characteristics of each of their staffs and the method of which a manager praises or point out underperformance may vary between different individuals. From my experience, I have some staff who will only get the message if it is given "straight on the face", normally these staffs are the problematic ones with a bit of an attitude problems and even stubborn at times. While the ones with a good track
records are more focused, professional and gets the message indirectly. They understand that they were doing well but need to buck up in certain areas. The sandwich technique may work for staffs in this category. Just my 2 cents worth.
Enjoy reading your articles. Keep em coming ok.
Comment by Fabian — September 8, 2008 @ 12:41 am
Yeah true and agree wit u !
Comment by chaitanya — September 9, 2008 @ 3:08 pm