communicating bad news
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
4 essential goals
1. Acceptance•Receiver must accept and understand the
bad news
2. Positive Image•Ethical behavior
3. Message Clarity Clear message = no further
correspondence or inquiries
4. Legal Protection• Limit the risks of legal liability
to yourself and the organization
Limit the following to avoid liability
1. Abusive language - Name calling, defamation, slander, libel- Harmful to a person’s good name
2. Careless language- Damaging or misinterpreted statements
3. Inaccurate language- Do NOT communicate extra information
- Avoid making promises
- Do NOT accept responsibility because you feel guilty
- Limit apologies, they are legally liable
Detracts the receiver’s attention towards the good news, omitting the bad
news
Direct Pattern•States the bad news first
When to use it• If firmness and directness are required
• If the receiver may disregard the bad news
Indirect Pattern•Most effective in delivering bad news
•Does not state the bad news first
•Opens with a buffer
When to use it• If sensitivity is required
Apologize and accept responsibility
Explain the steps to remediate the situation
Promote goodwill: gifts, benefits, rewards
Praise the customer’s business
Insist on reestablishing the relationship
Gather information and practice what you want to say
Explain the chronology of events
Consider bringing a witness
Select the right time
Let the receiver process the news
The Western way of delivering bad news is not the Universal way!
Preferably refer to the Indirect Pattern
Evaluate the context
Research foreign business communicating strategies