What strategy did Maria use to make her criticism effective?

The feedback sandwich is an effective strategy for delivering criticism because it cushions the negative feedback between two positive remarks. This technique serves several purposes. It helps to create a more supportive environment by starting and ending the conversation with positive comments, which can soften the impact of the criticism. This approach also ensures that the recipient feels valued and appreciated, which can make them more receptive to the feedback being given.

Additionally, the feedback sandwich encourages a balanced view by not solely focusing on the negatives, allowing the person to understand what they did well alongside areas for improvement. By structuring criticism in this way, it can lead to more constructive conversations and better outcomes for both the person giving feedback and the person receiving it.