Studies have found that one of the things leaders dread doing the most as a leader is presenting negative information or bad news to others. Unfortunately, in every aspect of our lives, things do not go as planned. Thus inevitably at sometime we will all be faced with the task of sharing unpleasant information with others—and often with people we care about. Now just because it is bad news we are sharing, this does not mean that sharing the news itself cannot be a positive or motivating experience. In fact, great leaders find ways to begin the healing process immediately by presenting the negative information so that it actually inspires and encourages others. So how do great leaders do this? Here are four tips on how to effectively present negative information to others.
1. Be Honest
The number one thing to do when sharing bad news is to tell the truth. Avoiding, hiding, or twisting the truth will never do any good in the long-run because at some point in time the truth will be revealed. Thus, there is no reason not to be completely honest. In fact, by not being honest you may actually lose credibility and trust as a leader and you may end up demoralizing others even more. Though the task is difficult, people respect leaders who are candid and honest from the very beginning.
2. Be Clear and Concise
The last thing you want to happen is for people to over exaggerate or misunderstand bad news. Likewise, it is not necessary to provide every detail regarding the negative information in most instances. Therefore it is important to take the time to ensure your message will be plainly and pointedly stated and delivered.
3. Encourage Communication
After you share your message, always ask others to share their concerns, questions, or insights. Two-way dialogue is necessary to ensure the message is received and understood. Take time to listen to what others may have to say and answer questions as thoroughly as possible. Encouraging communication will allow you to gage the overall reaction of others to the bad news you just presented.
4. Highlight the Positive.
If appropriate, give praise and recognition for things that are going well. Don’t dwell only on the negative but take time to highlight the positive—even if the positive is “we can learn from this news” or “bad news has made us stronger in the past.” Looking beyond the bad news and focusing on something positive will help motivate others.
Being a leader is challenging and difficult. Learning how to effectively communicate regardless of the situation is key to being a successful leader. As we are honest, clear, and concise in presenting bad news and then encourage communication and highlight the positive, we will be able to turn bad news into a great opportunity.