Life isn’t always about happiness, because if it is, people will be walking trolls with smiles plastered all over their faces, laughter will not be special anymore and dramas would be completely erased from human memory. While it is a must to keep a sunny disposition in life, there are some instances wherein we are trapped in a corner of negativity, heartbreaking thoughts and overwhelming gloom.
It is pretty much human nature to feel feelings, may it be joy or sadness, and because this planet is being revolved through human discourse and interactions, clashes of emotions will always be palpable. And as we move along life, we have been witnesses on how circumstances affected you and the people around you. May it be at work, within your family, through your social circles, the list just continued to grow and grow until you find yourself being warped into events that you are or not prepared of encountering. People just have to deal with all the concerns lying and flying around and it is a must to know you what approach you would need to rather overcome them. Let’s take for an instance, delivering a very bad news.
Delivering bad news is something that we all have to do at some point. For example, you would need to tell an employee that you’re handling that the company is downsizing and she would be the ones who will be immensely affected and her occupation might be compromised, or simply telling a friend that you’ve seen her beau canoodling with someone else. The list of situations will be innumerable and all that you need to bear in mind is that at one point in time, you will be the Grim Reaper of one’s happiness.
There are many reasons why you might need to deliver bad news, which is why it’s important to know how to deliver it honestly, empathetically, and gracefully.
After all, the way you communicate bad news can have a direct impact on how the receiver perceives and reacts to the situation, and the way that you communicate in this difficult situation is likely be remembered – either positively or negatively – for a long time.
Communication plays a huge part in making sure that the bad news will be delivered appropriately. One must be equipped and well-aware of profiling who to give the bad news to.
Prepare personally - Bad news can be stressful for anyone who’s involved in the conversation. To manage this stress, it’s important to prepare yourself first. Take time to calm your mind, focus, and think about what you want to say. If you do this, your emotions are less likely to get the better of you during the conversation. By speaking in a calm and clear manner; you’ll demonstrate that you’re prepared and professional. As such, you’re less likely to make the situation worse.
Aid in Problem-Solving - The next step is to identify some solutions, if there are any available. You may not be able to make things right, but you can minimize upset. Try to identify several solutions before you meet with the other person. This is essential because, once your meeting begins, it might become emotionally charged and you may struggle to think of answers under pressure. However, if you have solutions ready to go, you’ll demonstrate professionalism and you’ll show that you’re focused on moving forward.
Master timing and setting - Unless you have to deliver bad news to a group, choose a private setting for your conversation. Privacy allows the other person the freedom to respond and cope in a way that’s comfortable for them, which is a key part of helping them to move forward. Turn your cell phone off, and make sure that you won’t be interrupted. Next, pay attention to timing. It’s often best to deliver bad news promptly, but without skipping the essential preparation that we have just covered. “Sitting” on bad news can start rumors, and it might also damage your reputation.
Be real - When the time comes to deliver the message, try to be authentic and compassionate, and treat the other person with respect and dignity. Don’t try to “sugarcoat” the truth; it’s best to be forthright and honest about what’s happened, and about what you’re going to do to make it right. Remember that your attitude and the clarity of your message are two very important components in this conversation. Be open, clear, and honest.
Harness the Positives – If appropriate, try to find a positive in the situation: it can help to remember the phrase “Every cloud has a silver lining.” However, be sensitive with this. If the news you’re delivering is truly bad, it will be counterproductive to point out positives.
The key point to always bear in mind when you’re about to break someone’s bubble of disposition and happiness is to stay true to your point. No matter how well you prepare, what setting you choose to relay the message or how bright you see the conversation might end, you must always keep in mind that you’re there to simply tell. While it is important to use empathy at all times, the least thing that you can give the person is to be blunt about everything and be real enough to either or not help the person afterwards. The saying ‘Truth hurts, lies worse.’ can be your mantra in giving-off the ugly truth. One takeaway that you can also rely on is the thought that you’re delivering it to a mature person, so don’t let fear creep inside you.
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