5 Ways to Break Bad News Without Actually Lying
By Psychology Today, August 15, 2015
This post has been viewed 2,250 times.
This post has been viewed 2,250 times.
From these studies, it seems that there is no one best way to convey bad news, but these 5 principles should provide some guidance:
- Tell at least part of the truth if you think the person needs to hear it. Whether it’s a bad health prognosis or the need to let an employee you’re firing know how to avoid getting canned in the future, there are situations when you can provide help to the person receiving the negative message.
- Sugar coat it if you think the person can’t handle it (“it’s me not you”). It may take you a while to frame the right way to create a positive spin, but it will be worth the investment, particularly if the individual seems vulnerable or fragile.
- Follow the principles of politeness theory. It’s important for you to help your recipient save face when the bad news involves a potential threat to self-esteem. You may have to develop a cover story in order to preserve the individual’s reputation to the outside world even though you and the other person know the actual reasons behind your decision.
- Take your time to prepare your message. There is more effortful cognitive processing involved in presenting people with bad news. Make sure you consider carefully the meaning and possible interpretations of your words. Once certain words are said they’re impossible to take back, so don’t rush into an explanation just for the sake of getting it over with.
- Rely on others to help you. Without blaming others or leaving the dirty work to them, keep in mind the Igier study’s findings and consider bringing relevant other players into the picture. It may be the other members of a work team, an individual’s family, or even someone impartial to provide moral support to both you and your recipient.
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