Question

How do you deliver bad news to an employee?

Answer 1

You may not want to admit that the bad news is real, or that it will result in tangible consequences, but sweeping things under the rug or pretending that they are not so bad will only exacerbate the negative reaction that you will receive when you finally share the information with your team members and staff.

Not only will the expectations of those involved be managed straight up with bad news, it will also help you to preserve your reputation as an honest, level-headed leader – as opposed to someone who withholds important news out of fear or indifference

Between putting on a brave, no-nonsense face and coming off as cold, mean, or uncaring, there's a fine line. It is important to infuse your message with some degree of compassion and positivity when you deliver bad news in any form.

While telling someone they're fired at your centrally located office might be convenient for your workday, taking your employee around the corner to get a coffee or have a quick chat in the lobby is far more compassionate. Choose a spot where workers can express their emotions without having to bear witness to their colleagues, which could involve anger, confusion and sadness. Even if a firing is based on a violation of the rules by a person or has obviously been approaching, everyone deserves the opportunity to dignely grieve bad news.

It is easy to get caught in your delivery and forget to engage in a discussion after you put the information on the table. However, you should always give recipients time to ask questions, air grievances, offer solutions and challenge your positions, no matter what type of news you're expressing. Make sure you really listen to what the people are saying during this time.