The Many Kinds of Knuckle Sandwiches: (perhaps) The Future of Work

 " ... receiving ‘tough’ feedback is nothing to panic about as long as you spend time creating a plan on how to address it and be proactive. When I’ve received tough feedback I’ve gone back to the person taken them through the plan so you get them feeling like they are working with you not against you and then make sure I report back to them on progress against the plan." - Fishbowl Consulting, August 6, 2024

That's one of the responses to a first-year manager in Big Consulting who didn't receive the one-time-standard "Compliment Sandwich." As I explain in this article, that management strategy - the Compliment Sandwich - is an attempt to mask negatives in a performance review between a top layer and a bottom layer of praise. Of course, rarely is anyone duped. Instead they are usually freaked and don't embark on that productive journey of self-improvement. Gen Z is having none of that. 

But, less of it may be handed out. The Knuckle Sandwich could replace it. Business Insider notes that the scary economic headlines are giving employers ammo to become even more demanding of the workforce. 

Of course, there are many kinds of Knuckle Sandwiches. 

They could take the form of forced ranking which GE had embraced when Jack Welch was CEO. Employees were not evaluated as stand-alones but in comparison (a la in competition) with the others in the unit. Those on the lower tier get the boot. More employers can introduce forced ranking. That might replace the PIP (Proposal to Improve Performance).

Then there are organizations with up-or-out systems. Among those is Big Law. Soon enough partners might inform associates that they are not heading for partnership. Usually associates will "get it" that they should be looking for "another opportunity." Howevever, amidst all that is top law firm Paul, Weiss whose signature is no-layoffs. BTW, among Business Insider's predictions are more layoffs.

Another kind of Knuckle Sandwich, at least in how it is experienced, is the old-fashioned torment of being made invisible. No more emails, no more invites to meetings, no more assignments, no more gossip from the grapevine and lots more distancing by co-workers. Among those I coach, our first meeting frequently starts out with the employee's saying that they will "not be a quitter." Rapidly, though, we reach the part of hiring an employment lawyer. 

All this brings up back to politics, which is no longer taboo to talk about. Given the harshness which could evolve in the workplace, which party would be more protective of labor?

In business and life you usually have only one shot at whatever. Up the odds of success with Jane Genova. I am an intuitive coach, tarot reader and content-creator. Complimentary consultation (please text/phone 203-468-8579 or email janegenova374@gmail.com)


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