How to Tell Someone Bad News
If delivering bad news is a struggle, these tips will ease the stress.
Up next in How to Improve Your Communication Skills (68 videos)
Whether you're dealing with friends, family, a lover, or co-workers, you'll benefit from the communication skills taught in this Howcast video series.
You Will Need
- A private location
- Tissues
- A friend of family member (optional)
Steps
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Step 1
Rehearse the bad news
Practice saying the bad news and focus on words or phrases to use and ones to avoid.
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Step 2
Meet in private
Meet somewhere private where you can talk quietly without interruption, such as a bedroom, bathroom, or windowless office.
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Bring a friend or family member along for comfort if you do not know the person you are talking to very well.
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Step 3
Find out what they know
Find out what the person knows to avoid repeating information and prolonging an uncomfortable situation.
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Step 4
Get to the point
Get right to the point and don't ramble or make small talk. This delays the inevitable and can increase tension.
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Be as clear as possible when delivering bad news. Avoid using metaphors or euphemisms.
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Step 5
Comfort the person
Comfort the person with a touch when appropriate, but be aware of social or cultural conventions that may make the situation worse.
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Step 6
Answer questions
Make time to answer questions and allow the person to grieve if necessary. Offer a tissue.
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Positive thinking can lower stress, increase a person's life span, boost their immune system, and reduce their risk of a heart attack.
