Deliver Bad News Effectively
Unfortunately, delivering bad news is as much a part of our lives as it is a part of our jobs. While I’m hoping you don’t have to regularly deliver bad news, when you do, it’s important that you have a plan and know how to do it effectively. Since bad news can span across all aspects within the workplace, knowing how to communicate bad news well is important for professionals in nearly any position, not just those in leadership roles.
Likewise, because bad news comes in different levels of severity (canceling a company picnic is very different than notifying employees about coming layoffs), you want to apply the right approach for the specific situation. There are essentially two broad methods: the direct approach and the indirect approach.
The Direct Approach
The direct approach gets straight to the point. It’s fast, efficient, and avoids unnecessary sugarcoating.
Situations that Call for the Direct Approach
Use the direct approach for delivering bad news in the following circumstances:
- Time is of the essence
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When there is a need for immediate action or awareness, being direct will help ensure the issue is clear, direct, and taken care of.
Examples: Upset client; critical deadline is approaching or passed.
- Safety is concerned
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When people, animals, or property could face illness or harm if action isn’t taken, directly relaying the bad news helps ensure the message is clear ...
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