Chapter 3. Make the best of bad news
The way you express bad news will make or break your credibility as a manager. If you level with employees, you show that you're a no-nonsense leader who prizes clear communication. But if you talk around the issue, others may follow your example and avoid addressing problems that need attention.
Prepare to deliver bad news. Decide in advance what you want to accomplish by speaking up. Do you want to spur your employees to take action or simply raise their awareness? Is there an upside to the situation and, if so, should you emphasize it? Do you want to discuss the evolution of the problem or limit your comments to the here-and-now?
Maintain your perspective. New managers sometimes blow bad news out of proportion ...
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