At work this week, two of the boss-type figures had a casual conversation about criticism, motivation and discipline. The idea was that you should praise people for their hard work before you criticize their screw-ups. One guy called in the crap sandwich (not in those words.) :) We all have to take a bite of the crap sandwich from time to time. You have the nice, appealing bread layers of praise sandwiching the crap layer criticism or discipline.
The more senior boss guy said he doesn't subscribe to the crap sandwich theory, but believes more in a club sandwich of love with a piece of crap lettuce. He also told us about the 95-5 rule he had learned from a former boss. Ninety-five percent of the time, most people are doing what they should be doing. But five percent of the time, they jack it up. But you can't go beating them up too bad because of their five percent. You gotta feed them the club sandwich of love (95% love) with that piece of crap lettuce (5% criticism.)
It was hilarious at the time, although I realize it's much less so in my telling. But it really stuck with me. I'm a club sandwich of love kinda person. I don't like getting beat up, because I genuinely try to do my best at things, whether it's work or whatever else. And for better or worse, I tend to take criticism a bit personally, no matter how hard I try not to. So I need a bit of love to soften the harsh sting of criticism.
Likewise, I don't like beating people up (not often, anyway). I'm more likely to send an email that's like "Wow, we're so awesome, aren't we? But you know what would make us more awesome? This..." I don't always excel in this area, but it's what I strive for and what I'm most inclined to do. Sometimes, however, my frustrating takes over, and I deliver the crap sandwich.
A pastor I know said you have to be a steel rod wrapped in velvet. You have to have that core of hard truth, but it's best to deliver it softly.
I hope I have a hard core of truth, or I hope to be that way some day, anyway. But I also strive to be...well, palatable. I don't like people that leave a bad taste in my mouth, and I don't want to be that way, either. I know I probably do sometimes. I know I can't please everyone. But I can't stop from trying to have a broad general appeal. It's just how I'm wired.
This was a weird blog. Not at all the direction I intended to go, but stuff that's on my mind, regardless!
Speaking of broad appeal, look at this kid! I know I'm a tad bit biased, but I think he has the broadest appeal there is!
He IS pretty doggone appealing!
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