Business Communication, Third Edition

SQ3 How should you evaluate bad-news messages?

All communication requires evaluation to ensure that the message is effective. For sensitive communication like bad-news messages, evaluation is particularly important because the message can have significant negative business results. As you evaluate your message, look at it objectively and consider whether it is clear, easy to understand, and honest. Also consider whether you are communicating a sense of goodwill toward your audience. Then, step back and put yourself in your audience’s position to evaluate how they are likely to respond and whether the message will achieve the business result that you intend.

Evaluate the message’s clarity, honesty, and sense of goodwill

Consider the scenario that ...