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How to Present Bad News

“Never awaken me when you have good news to announce, because with good news nothing presses. But when you have bad news, arouse me immediately, for, then there is not an instant to be lost.”

 

–Napoleon Bonaparte

Let’s face it. Bad things do happen from time to time and sometimes, the unpleasant task of delivering the bad news will fall upon us. Along with it comes certain responsibilities and expectations. For a start, we will be required to be thoughtful and considerate of the mental state of the person about to receive the bad news. Then, we will have to have the tact and the guts to break the bad news itself. Next, we are expected to deal with the recipient’s reaction with poignancy and understanding. And finally, ...

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