There are two ways to approach communicating bad news, depending on the situation, audience, your role, and all of the other communication variables: a direct approach and an indirect approach. Show
Direct ApproachA direct approach offers the bad news immediately in the communication. You may want to use a direct approach if you feel it is the clearest way to communicate bad news to a large audience, to cut down on possible misinterpretations. You may want to use a direct approach if, as a supervisor, you need to correct an employee’s behavior. You may want to use a direct approach if you know that your audience is prepared for it and expecting the communication. You may want to use a direct approach if you need to curtail communications with a particular audience. For example:
Choosing a direct approach does not mean that you can simply say what you need to say without considering your language, tone, and overall effect on your audience. When you use a direct approach to giving bad news, you need to pay special attention to your language so as to get your audience to accept and understand the bad news without offending them. Can you imagine Darren’s difference in reaction if he received a communication that said, “Darren, stop harassing me with that same old suggestion, which I told you is not going to achieve results.” Indirect ApproachAn indirect approach to communicating bad news houses the bad news later in the communication, usually as the third item in a list of four:
You may want to use an indirect approach if you know a large portion of your audience will react strongly to the bad news. You may want to use an indirect approach if you want to retain a customer’s business in the future, retain recommendations from a client, etc. You may want to use an indirect approach if you think that the bad news is something that your audience has not been expecting, and will therefore be a shock. You may want to use an indirect approach if you want to maintain good working relationships with your coworkers and employees, who gauge and respond to your overall communication style. For example:
In this example, the buffer is in the first two sentences, which offer neutral and then positive information. The reasons occur in the third sentence, which puts the job applicant’s experience into the broader context of how many people applied and were interviewed for the same job. Offering details about just how far this applicant proceeded in the search helps the applicant prepare for the bad news coming in the fourth sentence, since it lets the applicant know that she progressed relatively far in the process. This particular communication ends on a positive note. The communicator in this case is genuinely encouraging the applicant. It’s important to know, though, that you should not be inaccurate and provide positive information falsely, if it’s not really the case, as that is a breach of ethics. An appropriate alternative ending if there is no genuine interest in the applicant would be to replace the last two sentences with a polite “Thank you for considering XYZ company. We wish you well in your future endeavors.” Choosing Media for Bad News CommunicationsThe examples above all used the written medium to illustrate different approaches to communicating bad news. However, there are often situations that call for real-time conversation or a combination of media. You should always do a situational analysis to identify the probable effects of using different media. A face-to-face, telephone, or Skype conversation has the advantage of being personal and private, as well as allowing you to gauge reactions through tone. A face-to-face meeting adds non-verbal body language into the situation, which provides even more cues to help tailor the communication as you can visually judge your audience’s reaction to the news. Face-to-face, telephone, and Skype have a disadvantage, though, of potential misinterpretation, because sometimes the response you get in terms of body language and tone masks the recipient’s focus, which might be a much more emotional response to the bad news. You may need to follow up a conversation with email or a written document of some sort in order to reinforce your message. On the other hand, written communication has the advantage of creating a permanent record and a document to which communicator and recipient can both refer. However, giving bad news in writing may not be appropriate in situations which call for a more personal approach. Written bad news does not allow the recipient to ask questions to further her understanding. And written bad news does not give you the immediate feedback you get from real-time spoken communication. You may need to follow up a written communication with a personal meeting or phone call to further explain your message. SummaryRemember that even though you may need to provide bad news, whether you use a direct or indirect approach, you need to provide that bad news using appropriate language and tone. Consult the pages in this text on “You” Approach & Constructive Language and Style: Formality, Tone & Voice, Word Choice for fuller insight into providing bad news without using negative language or tone. When should you use an indirect approach in delivering a negative news message?Indirect approach. When the bad news may have a significant impact on the recipient or you don't know them very well, you may prefer to use the indirect approach. Figure 4.11. 2 shows an example of a bad news message delivered using this approach.
What's the best strategy for delivering bad news using the indirect strategy?The indirect method is an approach where negative news is delivered with a positive buffer statement before proceeding with the bad news. A buffer statement is a sentence that is used to cushion the bad news. It can contain some positive news or a carefully worded cautionary statement.
Why is an indirect approach most effective for bad news messages?An indirect approach to communicating bad news houses the bad news later in the communication, usually as the third item in a list of four: Buffer – a lead-in to the communication, which often has a supportive tone, a statement of appreciation for the audience, or some positive or neutral information.
Should negative messages be conveyed with the indirect approach?Delivering negative news involves a buffer or cushion statement, an explanation, the negative news itself, and a redirecting statement. Whether you choose a direct or an indirect approach, the message should be delivered clearly and concisely, with respect for the receiver and the organization.
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