FeedbackSandwich

The feedback sandwich is a method used primarily in management and education for delivering constructive criticism. Items in the sandwich include a positive comment, followed by a criticism or suggestion for improvement, and concluded with another positive remark. The approach aims to cushion negative feedback with praise, thereby reducing defensiveness and encouraging receptivity to the critique. The concept, also known as the “praise‑critique‑praise” technique, emerged in the 1980s in corporate training literature. While its usage has spread to informal workplace feedback and classroom settings, it has also attracted criticism. Critics argue that the sandwich can dilute the impact of the criticism, leading receivers to focus on the compliments rather than the corrective advice. Moreover, the artificial structure may feel inauthentic or patronizing if the positive statements are not genuinely earned. Research on feedback effectiveness has mixed conclusions; some studies find that sandwich feedback increases acceptance and reduces anxiety, whereas others suggest that it can impair learning by masking the severity of issues. Effective feedback remains evidence‑based: specificity, actionable guidance, timely delivery, and emotional intelligence are considered more critical than the sentence order. Despite its popularity, organizations often supplement or replace traditional sandwich feedback with alternative models, such as the “direct and supportive” approach or the “SBI (Situation-Behavior-Impact)” framework, to enhance clarity and follow‑up.