Are You Afraid of Reporting Bad News? Report it This Way

Good and bad news are the part of day to day life including personal concerns, social setups and business environments. Though both types of news are the part of all sorts of setups, but the ultimate effect of both of them is entirely different. Reporting a good news may lead you towards promotion and rewards but what if the news is bad and you must have to report it to the concerned authorities. It's ok if the concerned authorities are your subordinates, but in case if the recipient is your boss, that's something really to worry about.

But worrying only is not the solution; try to get out of this situation. Use some indirect communication approach and tell the bad news in most pleasant way. You'll win and only win then; the probability to lose is highly low by this. Not only a bad news but persuasive requests can also me made using this indirect approach. This approach is complex and consists of four parts unlikely the three steps of direct communication, i.e. main idea, explanation, courteous close. The four possible steps for transmitting a bad news are, buffer, explanation, decision, and positive friendly close.

Buffer is the part whereby you're to take a start with a positive or neutral statement, turning the bad news into a normal happening. Then come the part to explain the news tactfully. You're to provide the facts again in a neutral manner. Start with favorable circumstances and then come to unfavorable situation. According to the explanation present the implied or expressed decision. You can also make an additional offer of help in this part. This can also be decorated with some rational suggestions. And after suggesting, end the message with a friendly closing. Closing can be accompanied by some words of appreciation, some invitation to a future action, clear cut desired action, easy action, willingness to help in future, reader or listener's benefit.

Whether one has to report the news verbally or in written, the indirect approach to report will be same for both of them. The only difference will be that in oral reporting you can make the maximum use of body language, facial expressions, and promptly control the situation by analyzing the listener's expressions and attitude.

Also keep in mind that in your report, the elements of attention, interest, desire and action should have prominent place. And you should proceed in accordance with all these four elements. Just give a little time to the bad news and turn it into a pleasant situation. Be successful and let others to follow you.