Sensitve to feedback
In my experience I have found that it is hard for people to hear criticism about themselves. This is why I believe that feedback is best given through a compliment sandwich. We first give information that a person would be more open to usually about their positive behaviors. Then give the bitter news of where performance can be improved, finishing it off with how this behavior will look in the future when corrected and the future benefits. Then give an appraisal of some of the positive things this person brings to the team. This is like the idea that I heard as a child in the movie Marry Poppins "a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down. In such a delightful way"
Yes, my Business professor in college taught us this approach: positive, constructive criticism, positive. I also agree with the importance of discussing how and/or why this improved behavior is important and the impact it will have on the individual, the team, students or customers, and the company as a whole. Hearing feedback that is meant to be constructive may not be received that way if no positive feedback is heard as well. The recipient of this feedback is likely to become either very defeatist or defensive if the perception from the conversation is that he/she can do nothing correctly.
