The Coaching Cookie

The Coaching Cookie is a simple three-part structure: start with a genuine compliment, state the specific improvement needed, and close with another sincere compliment. When leaders use it with depth-explaining exactly what to improve, how it will look, and how it will be measured-it becomes a powerful feedback tool that drives growth without demoralizing the team.

Too many leaders water down the method, leaning on the compliments while skimping on the corrective component. That turns the cookie into a conflict-avoidance crutch, leaving problems unaddressed and eroding trust. The article calls out this misuse and stresses that the middle portion must be concrete, measurable, and paired with a follow-up date to review progress.

The takeaway is pragmatic: use the Coaching Cookie deliberately. Make compliments authentic, define the improvement in actionable terms, and set a clear review deadline. This approach sharpens feedback, reduces avoidance of tough conversations, and ultimately lifts team performance.