Maybe you have to tell a friend that she bought the wrong dress. It’s not doing her any justice. Gasp!
So yeah, delivering bad news is challenging if you’re a kind person concerned for other peoples’ feelings.
Lots of people choose avoidance (when possible) and procrastination.
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Avoiding it can have disastrous results. It can cause you significant stress, which we know to be bad for your health. But avoiding it also makes it worse for the person you’re delivering the news to.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. From canceling on a friend to terminating an employee, there are ways to deliver bad news that can be as painless as possible. You can convey your negative message so well that you become the hero.
I’ve recently been promoted to a senior level position, and while I’ve never loved giving bad news to people, it’s become very commonplace. Thank you for these insightful tips.
My pleasure, Mary Ann.
Even when we know we’re not “the bad guy,” it can be be tough to deliver bad news, so this is excellent advice.
Thank you, Diane!
Giving bad news is such important and difficult thing to tactifully do. Empathy and love are such important aspects. This is good advice that I will be sharing with colleagues.
Thank you, Will! Share away!
Awesome advice. Sometimes when delivering bad news, things can get very emotional. It’s also so important to know when to speak and when to remain silent so that the person on the receiving end of the bad news can have time to handle their emotions and take in the facts.
Thank you, Brittney!
I’m definitely a procrastinator when it comes to giving bad news. You’ve spelled it out very nicely here. Makes perfect sense. Thank you so much.
Having to give bad news is the worst, especially if you are an empathetic person. What do you think of layering (not sure of the technical term)? It’s when you give positive information, then slot in the bad news, then finish off with positive information.
I absolutely love that idea, Siobhan!
Yes, that’s a great idea. Always give positive feedback first!
I have always hated giving bad news! Just telling my friends in high school or in my 20s that I couldn’t go somewhere I said I would! It was never as bad as I thought. People usually take it pretty well. I know you’re talking about maybe firing people or taking them off a project, but I think these tips work for any kind of bad news.
Thank you!
We often face such situations where we have to deliver bad news but we don’t want to hurt that person, at such times it becomes very difficult but this tips and advice will help out while delivering such news.