A compliment sandwich is a communication technique where a compliment is “sandwiched” between two pieces of constructive feedback. The idea is to deliver feedback in a way that is both positive and constructive, and to avoid making the recipient feel attacked.
For example, if you had to give someone feedback on their work, you might start with a compliment on what they did well, followed by the constructive feedback on what could be improved, and end with another compliment or positive reinforcement.
The purpose of a compliment sandwich is to make the feedback more palatable and easier to accept, while still providing valuable guidance. It’s important to use this technique genuinely, as it can come across as insincere if the compliments are not authentic or if the feedback is not constructive.