Give bad news

Apart from receiving bad news, one of the toughest emotional challenges is to deliver bad news.

If you need to deliver bad news, what matters most is how well you listen and respond to the other person.

Sometimes, the need to give bad news comes completely unexpectedly. If you need to give the news right away, say, ‘I need to talk with you about...’ This at least establishes a setting and a context for the conversation, instead of just blurting out the news.

Other times, you can prepare what you’re going to say and anticipate the reaction and questions the other person might have.

First, know that you must lay it out plainly. Give basic information, ...

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