13 tips for delivering bad news to the boss
Your manager—or even your chief executive-has to know when a project has gone awry or a campaign has hit a roadblock. Try these approaches for clear, professional communication.
I had a supervisor who would go off like a volcano anytime the results that we produced did not meet his expectations. He was so volatile in his reaction to bad news that members of our organization urged him to get professional help to keep the rest of the staff from quitting. When he was caught off guard, nothing seemed to stem his anger.
A situation like that is never easy. Most of the time we would rather jump off a cliff than give bad news to a superior. Nevertheless, there are steps you can take to ease the process—and the response:
1. Don’t wait. Sometimes we put off telling someone that we didn’t get the results we wanted. Yet giving a decision-maker the necessary information to take immediate steps to remedy the situation is important. Deliver it quickly to minimize damage.
2. Select the time and place. Find a time when you can give the necessary feedback without interruption. You don’t want to offer bad news just as the individual is leaving for the day. If you know that the first two hours are the most hectic for this individual, then approach as soon as things slow down, making sure you have enough time to give feedback and discuss pertinent issues. If a private office isn’t handy, find a conference room.
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