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The Communicator · № 16

Delivered Bad News Well

Delivered difficult news to someone, a rejection, a disappointment, a firing, a hard truth, in a way the recipient would say was handled with grace.

The idea

Bad news lands better direct and specific. Don't bury it in compliments. Don't draw it out. Say what's true, say it kindly, then let the other person react. Most kids try to soften so much that the actual message gets lost and the recipient still feels bad. Clear and warm is the move. Vague and gentle is actually cruel because it forces the person to guess at what was said.

Steps
  1. Plan the opening sentence. Direct and kind. Don't bury it.
  2. Deliver in person if possible.
  3. Let the person react. Stay through the reaction.
  4. Don't escape.
What counts

Bad news delivered to someone who later said it was handled with grace. A short writeup or note is plenty.