Toastmasters International is a hundred-year organization that has helped people become better public speakers. I was fortunate to find a great Toastmasters Club in Manhattan a few years ago. It was an incredible learning experience, and it's where I realized how much I enjoy mentoring new speakers. In the meeting, after someone has finished their talk, a person is assigned to the speaker as an evaluator. Their job is to give their impression of what went well and suggestions for improving the speech. One of the key aspects I've found most effective when discussing a speech is called the "sandwich approach."
The sandwich approach, a technique I've found to be incredibly effective, begins with a positive note. For instance, 'The story you told was engaging and lively. Your delivery and pacing were enjoyable.' When offering suggestions for improvement, it's crucial to provide a solution. For example, 'I believe your adventure could have been more impactful if you had used more body language. When you mentioned traveling to another country, that would have been a perfect opportunity to walk across the stage instead of standing still.' The sandwich is then completed with another positive point. For instance, 'Overall, your vocal tone and facial expressions enhanced your speech and left us with a vivid memory of your trip to Africa.'
I believe this technique works very well in other situations, especially at work. It's not easy trying to explain to an employee or a co-worker that their pitch to a client or presentation to the team fell flat. No one wants to criticize or be criticized. But I've found being honest is better than letting someone flounder and fail. Approaching someone with a compliment about their talk first helps them from becoming defensive. I'll ask if I may give a suggestion for their next presentation. Usually, the answer is yes, and I'll give them my perception of what didn't land well and how they can fix it. I'll then commend them on what did work. The result was always the same; the person was happy to get feedback and ideas on improving their next presentation.
Being a great leader, manager, or boss means creating an atmosphere where employees can make mistakes without harsh words and rebukes. Nobody is perfect, and errors will happen. Approaching missteps as a chance to find solutions allows for more creativity and teamwork. Acknowledging great work, even on a small scale, does wonders for morale. Who wants to work at a place where you're never seen unless you make a mistake? Confidence and competence go hand in hand; when you know you're valued, you enjoy your work and want to excel.
When using the sandwich approach, it's crucial to provide a solution when pointing out areas for improvement. Start with genuine praise and move on to what can be improved. Don't make this a laundry list; only one or two issues. Have a solution that will work. It's unfair to point out a problem and leave a person to figure it out for themselves. This approach encourages responsibility and proactivity in the speaker.
Lastly, always end the conversation with an authentic, positive statement. This approach fosters a learning environment where both the speaker and the evaluator can benefit. You'll find people will be more open-minded to your thoughts and suggestions. Don't be surprised if you learn something new too.
If you're looking for more ways to improve communication within your company, check out my website: www.CelesteDeCamps.com
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