Every once in a while, we have to deliver tough news. It’s painful and can make us very uncomfortable. No one wants to be the bearer of bad news and hurt someone’s feelings. Thankfully, there are things that can be done to lessen the impact of unfavorable news.
Here are some dos and don’ts for delivering tough news
- Do- Be mindful of the situation
- Do- Find a proper place and time
- Do- Offer to listen
DO- Consider how the news will make an impact- Tough news can be mildly to wildly devastating. Be mindful of the situation and use empathy to consider how someone may be feeling. You can support people when delivering tough news without taking on their situation.
DO- Find the right time and place to deliver tough news- Be mindful of when and where you share tough news. Make certain the space is safe and there are no distractions. Privacy is generally very important. Depending on your role in the situation, you may be in charge of when and where the news is shared. Consider the best time and place for the situation at hand.
DO- Offer to listen- If you are sharing news with a friend or family member, offer to listen. Some people do well to process out loud. Be willing to sit and listen quietly without offering any solutions at all. Simply being there can make a world of difference.
- Don’t- Blindside people
- Don’t- Engage when it’s not appropriate
- Don’t- Forget self-care
DON’T- Blindside people- You may not always have the luxury to prep someone for bad news, but it is important to start the conversation off well. Letting someone know you’ve got something you need to share that is difficult can help them prepare for bad news. Wounded people often have scars from being blindsided by news they weren’t expecting. You can help avoid shattering someone by prepping them for what is about to be said.
DON’T- Engage when it isn’t appropriate- There are times when you must deliver tough news and need to be firm and concise. Sometimes employees must be disciplined or relieved of their service. In some cases, engaging after giving tough news isn’t appropriate. Be sure to know what the laws are in your area if you are dealing with tough news of a sensitive nature.
DON’T- Forget to take care of yourself- Delivering tough news can take it out of you! Plan to do a self-care activity when the tension is over. Take a walk, get some fresh air, and do what you need to do to decompress. Sometimes it helps to talk to someone. If you know you are delivering especially tense news, plan a head to debrief with a trusted friend to help you recalibrate.
Delivering tough news is hard! Having tactics to share tough news helps. Consider these dos and don’ts to be more effective when delivering bad news. In the end, they will help make really hard conversations as easy as possible.
