Ralph Lauren CEO embraces direct feedback approach without compliments

Patrice Louvet, the CEO of Ralph Lauren, discussed his unique approach to giving feedback during an episode of LinkedIn's 'This Is Working' podcast, which aired on April 10, 2023. Louvet emphasized that rather than using the commonly practiced compliment sandwich technique, he prefers a more straightforward method depending on the severity of the issue at hand. For minor feedback, he highlights an individual's strengths before pointing out improvement areas, while for more significant concerns, he dives straight into constructive criticism, bypassing pleasantries. Louvet stated that if a critical issue arises, immediate attention is necessary, acknowledging that sometimes individuals need a metaphorical jolt to fully grasp the importance of the feedback given, such as regularly missing deadlines or presenting false data. Louvet's feedback strategy is further empirically supported, as noted by psychologist Adam Grant, who argues that the most effective feedback emerges when it stems from high expectations and care for an individual's growth. This insight coincides with data suggesting that meaningful feedback positively influences employee engagement and productivity. Louvet’s approach has developed over decades and draws from his extensive experience in leadership roles, including 28 years at Procter & Gamble, where he learned to focus predominantly on strengths while addressing areas for improvement wisely. He notes that allocating 80% of feedback efforts towards strengths and only 20% to weaknesses is crucial to fostering a constructive environment that promotes efficiency and effectiveness within teams.