Constructive feedback: the noble art of telling someone they’ve royally mucked up without making them cry into their cup of Earl Grey.
In theory, it’s a fine balance between honesty and diplomacy, wielded with the skill of an Olympic gymnast.
In practice? Well, let’s just say that some people can’t even manage to walk in a straight line.
For some bizarre reason, many folks out there seem to approach giving feedback with the grace and subtlety of a rhino on roller skates.
So, let’s take a moment to appreciate (and cringe at) those who’ve attempted to provide constructive feedback... and failed spectacularly in the process.
The ‘Compliment Sandwich’ Catastrophe
Ah, the compliment sandwich - a technique designed to soften the blow of criticism by sandwiching it between two slices of praise.
Seems foolproof, right? Wrong. Because if you’re not careful, you end up with something more like a soggy egg salad that leaves everyone feeling a touch queasy.
"You’re really great at filing, Sarah. But your work is late, incomplete, and often makes me question my will to live. But hey, nice shoes today!"
See, the key to the compliment sandwich is balance. You can’t just toss a grenade into someone’s self-esteem, then try to patch it up with a Band-Aid.
Otherwise, you’re essentially just saying “You’re a disaster, but I’ll ignore it because you’re wearing snazzy footwear.”
The Backhanded Brilliance
Some people seem to think that constructive feedback means disguising an insult as a compliment, like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Unfortunately, this often results in a sort of passive-aggressive minefield that nobody asked for.
"You’re actually really good at public speaking, considering how shy you are."
Translation: “You were quite less terrible than I anticipated.”
"I’m impressed you managed to meet that deadline with everything else you’ve been struggling with."
Translation: “I assumed you’d fail, but you’ve barely scraped by.”
It’s like giving someone a high five and then immediately slapping them in the face. Sure, you meant well, but it’s a bit of a mixed message.
The Overly Honest Horror
And then there are those who take the concept of ‘honesty is the best policy’ to an extreme level.
While brutal honesty might be hailed as a virtue in some circles, in the workplace, it’s a surefire way to ensure that nobody makes eye contact with you in the break room ever again.
"That presentation was a bit, um, uninspired. Like, funeral level uninspired."
Or:
"I don’t think this job is really your thing. Have you considered a career with less responsibility? Like, a lot less?"
Remember, feedback is meant to be constructive, not soul-crushingly brutal. Telling someone their work is as lively as a damp sponge isn’t exactly the kind of feedback that inspires improvement.
The Vague Encouragement Vortex
And then, of course, is the feedback that’s so vague, it’s like trying to find your way out of a foggy forest with a paper map.
It sounds nice enough, but it’s entirely devoid of any useful information.
"Just keep doing what you’re doing!"
Great. But what am I doing, exactly? And is it good… or bad?
"You’ve got potential, but you just need to unlock it."
That’s great, but is there a key? A map? Anything?
While general encouragement is lovely, it doesn’t exactly help anyone figure out how to improve. It’s like telling someone to “try harder” without actually explaining how to lift the weights in the first place.
Need to Recruit People Who Can Handle Feedback?
Constructive feedback is an art, not a science. It requires the delicate balance of honesty, kindness, and the occasional white lie about someone’s disastrous spreadsheet skills.
If you’re looking to hire people who can both give and receive feedback with the finesse of a ballet dancer rather than a bull in a china shop, we’re here to help.
At Coburg Banks, we find candidates who are not only skilled but also emotionally intelligent enough to handle feedback without stumbling through it like a lost tourist.
So, if you need to recruit with confidence, get in touch. We promise to provide feedback that’s actually useful.
And, if all else fails, at least we’ll compliment your shoes.
