Balance the constructive with the positive. Avoid the but sandwich . Don t start out your session with a few nice things to say and then launch into the real reason for the feedback, then close down the session with a few more nice words. This is called the but sandwich . It is necessary to show the employee where they can continue to make contributions, and where they can improve.
Humans have both positive traits and areas for improvement.
Just the Facts, Ma am. Do your research upfront. Include numbers, examples, and specifics. This isn t just a good idea to fend off defensive responses. It s vital to giving your employee full understanding of the situation, the impact, and your recommendation for improvement.