No one wants to be the bearer of bad tidings. We would all much rather deliver good news and good feelings. In a perfect world, there would be no bad news, but this world isn’t perfect. There are times in life that bad things happen, and we must convey this sad news to other people. Delivering bad news is never easy, and the closer the relationship between two people, the harder it will be.
The best way to deliver bad news is with compassion and understanding. People are diverse, and so are their preferences when it comes to receiving bad news. Some may want you to be direct and to the point, while others prefer a roundabout approach that softens the blow. No matter how they prefer to receive such news, there are certain steps that apply to all scenarios.
Tell Part of the Truth
If you think the person can handle it, tell them at least part of the truth. Whether it’s a bad health diagnosis or the firing of an employee, the truth is always the best approach. When telling a person bad news about their health, it’s important to convey as many facts as possible, so they know exactly what they are dealing with. The truth hurts, and not everyone can hear it, so make sure you know your audience before being brutally honest.
Sugarcoat the Truth
If the person you are speaking to can’t handle the truth, sugarcoating some of the harsher bits and softening the blow is perfectly fine. It could take a while to properly frame the message and give it a positive spin, but it will be worth it in the end. Use this way to deliver bad news if the person is sensitive or vulnerable.
Follow Politeness Theory
Helping the recipient save face is important, particularly if the bad news could damage their self-esteem or reputation. Developing a cover story can preserve their reputation to the outside world. This tactic may apply when dealing with a high-profile firing, even though you both know the real reason for the termination. There is no need to shame the person and make them feel and look worse than they already do. This is likely a low point their life, to begin with, so there’s no need to make matters worse.
Prepare the Message
Telling people good news is easy because they generally want to hear it. Blurting this type of new out is acceptable because the receiver will be happy to receive the information. When delivering bad news, however, it’s important to take your time and prepare the message properly. Give plenty of thought to how and where you want to deliver the news. Once you have said certain words, they become impossible to take back, so plan the conversation carefully.
Have Others Help You
There’s no rule saying a person must stand alone to deliver bad news. If it’s appropriate and you feel you need some backup, invite one or two other people to help. Have coworkers or management help fire an employee or invite another nurse or doctor to assist in delivering bad news to a patient.
