Iris Professional Practice Blog

FEEDBACK SANDWICH

Yesterday was the start of the course for one of my weekly dance classes.
As a general/open level dance class, it can at times be quite challenging to keep students motivated. The first class sets the tone for what to expect and how students will perform in class. Too soft and they won't give their 100%, too hard and they might not come back. It's really important to get the balance right. So, how to motivate students?...How can I give them feedback that allows them to feel positive while at the same time understand that there's still so much more to work on?...
I rely on a process that I learnt some years ago and that I still use today. I've refined it and adapted it to any situation: from students to family and friends. It's called a feedback sandwich. This is loosely defined as: Find something positive (top bun), demonstrate areas of improvement ( filling) and look to the future ( bottom bun).

Criticising someone's work is difficult, accepting criticism is equally hard. Finding the right words coupled with the right body language creates an encouraging and safe space where students of any level feel they can make mistakes, get up,  re - focus and try again. Although it's pretty simple to understand, I'm aware that there are many criticisms of this method, nevertheless. All I can say is that it has worked wonders in my practice.

Looking back I realise, perhaps, why this practice was so important to me as an artist. As a young dancer, around 12 years old, I was also learning to play the piano. I loved it. I was good at it. But, my teacher at the time utilised old methodology to which I didn't respond well to. I realise it was difficult for me to respond creatively to hard authoritarian methods. I left. I regret it.
Perhaps subconsciously I've been looking for another way, another tool I could use that was naturally more caring and positive and contributed to people's self esteem. Intuitively I've always felt that talent needs an encouraging space in order to grow organically. My thoughts were always on how could I get the best out of any student?...How could I trigger that inner magic naturally?...

Since being aware of it, I practise it on a regular basis, sometimes without even realising. It has become embedded in my professional practice and I consider it a defining moment of my learning experience as an artist and as a person. I'm a natural facilitator. This is present is almost every area of my work. Boom. Light bulb moment.