Nobody likes to present bad news. Delivering bad news to a supervisor or your boss is always a scary situation. Even if you have a very good relationship with your boss, there are going to be some situations you probably feel uncomfortable with, such as disclosing bad news or any a mistake you have made.
By learning a few tips on how to present bad work-related news to your boss, you can save your work relationships rather than damage them. Giving someone bad news is never easy, but there are better and worse ways to do it.
Here are some ways to approach your boss with bad news.
1. Prepare yourself emotionally.
Bad news can be stressful for anyone who is involved in the conversation. To manage this stress, it is important to prepare yourself .Take some time to calm your mind and think about what you want to say. If you do this, your emotions will be controlled. By speaking in a calm and clear manner, you will demonstrate that you are prepared and professional. As such, you are less likely to make the situation worse. Avoid getting overly emotional or acting overly sympathetic. The news might be bad, but you are still at work and dealing with a superior, so conduct yourself accordingly. Remember that your attitude and the clarity of your message are two very important components in this conversation.
2. Tell only your boss.
Don’t deliver bad news casually or in passing. In other words, establish a situation and a context for the conversation, instead of just throwing it at someone. Don’t share the bad work news with your colleagues. It might make you feel better to rehearse how to tell your supervisor with someone else first, but the news should go to your boss directly. Leave it to the boss to decide whether the whole office needs to know.
3. Bring the whole story to the table.
When you tell your boss bad news, give him all the information. Skipping some details might seem like a good way to soften the blow, but your boss will need all the information in order to handle the situation properly and will appreciate your honesty.
After you deliver bad news, you can explain reasons and causes. Precisely, you should explain what happened as well as the steps you took to minimize the risk. Your supervisor or boss would want to know this information, and he has a right to know it. Avoid including your opinion or advice when you deliver bad news, unless you are asked to share your thoughts or views. Without permission, adding your personal views is unprofessional and will not be helpful to your boss at this stage.
4. Get ready to answer the questions.
Get yourself prepared for the queries your boss could ask about the bad news you’re sharing or about potential solutions to the problematic situation. Make sure you are already aware of all the facts associated with the news, causes and possible techniques to correct the situation.
5. Stand unbiased and be an objective party.
Being biased and passing liability to others will not solve the problem. Instead, it will portray you as a negative and selfish person—the opposite of what you want.
Identifying the responsible person behind the any bad situation isn’t necessary to solve the problem immediately. The best way to handle the situation is this: you should forget the reason until a solution has been found. Avoiding any allegations on the spot will helps you to avoid looking like you’re stabbing another employee in the back to save face.
6. Provide solutions.
Before you deliver bad news to your boss, contemplate possible ways to solve the problem. Try to discuss with your boss the specific steps you have already taken and express your ideas for getting fruitful results.
Remember, delivering bad news in a better way can certainly strengthen your relationship with colleagues. Hence, it’s certainly worth learning how to do it effectively! Don’t take the reaction of your supervisor or boss personally and remember that you’re just doing your job.
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