David Yeager wrote the article, which first published in the Wall Street Journal.
Gen Z workers can be hard to give feedback to, especially if you use old techniques like the “compliment sandwich.” Younger workers often don’t like this style of feedback, which includes both criticism and praise. They think it’s not real or is rude.
This is what the “mentor’s dilemma” is all about: giving young workers constructive feedback can either make them lose motivation or feel like they’re being treated unfairly. A study found that all young people, including Gen-Z, worry a lot about how adults see them. They do not want to be spoiled or ignored; they want to feel appreciated and valued.
A better way is what experts call “wise feedback,” which focuses on what the person does well and what they could do better. If you tell someone, “I’m giving you this feedback because I have high standards and believe you can meet them,” it shows that you respect and trust their abilities. It has been shown in studies that this kind of feedback makes students want to do better on their work, which makes them do much better.
As a manager, giving your employees positive feedback can help build trust and get them to do better work, especially younger workers who want to be respected and recognized for their skills. Try not to use old methods and instead make a place where feedback is seen as a way to get better, not just criticism that looks like praise.