Bad News Lies

It is one thing to deliver bad news. It is another to lie while delivering it.

They will know that you are lying so they will wonder what else is not true.

When it is time to deliver bad news – deliver it as succinctly as you can. Leave out the editorializing.

For example, don’t say "This will hurt me more than you" while you are announcing layoffs. It doesn’t hurt you because you are not laid off. So stop lying to people.

They won’t believe you and most likely will hate you for lying more than for announcing the bad news.

When you need to deliver bad news, state it briefly and clearly. Then shut up. If there is an upside – state that too. Then shut up.

Learning Point:
Know when to shut up.

George Torok
The Speech Coach for Executives

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