Delivering bad news is not a pleasant task. Things will get worse if the timing and the way it's delivered are not right. Therefore, first learn the best ways to convey bad news and construct sentences. Remember that this is equally difficult for the anchor and the receiver. This article provides hints for delivering bad news that is less shocking to the recipient.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Choosing Words
Step 1. Calm down first
Make sure you're calm before sharing bad news with someone else. Bad news can have a direct or indirect impact on how you feel or make you feel uncomfortable. So you need to control your emotions before you pass bad news to others.
Take time to cool off by enjoying a cup of coffee, taking a shower, meditating, taking a few deep breaths, or praying in a quiet place. You are better prepared to share information when you are able to overcome the feeling of being hit. However, remember that this is not easy
Step 2. Prepare the news narrative first
Before delivering bad news, first determine what you want and can say. Show empathy to the recipient of the news and convey information about the latest conditions that can ease the burden on his mind.
Don't go round and round to make it easier for him to accept bad news, instead of guessing what you have to say. Tell what happened (in the form of narration) so that he clearly knows what actually happened. Convey information calmly while looking into his eyes
Step 3. Practice first
Use this opportunity to choose the most appropriate words, but you must remain flexible and be prepared to adapt to the responses given. The words and style of delivery depend on the personality of the news anchor, the relationship between the bearer and the recipient of the news, and the content of the news.
- If there's an accident and someone dies, practice telling the news in a straightforward but gentle way, such as "It's so hard to bring this kind of news. Maikel just had a car accident."
- Give him time to prepare himself emotionally for what's next. When he calms down and asks "What happened?" or "How is Maikel doing?", simply say, "I'm sorry, Maikel died."
- If you've been laid off, explain, "The company I work for has just been taken over by a bigger company." Then, continue with, "Due to overstaffing, I was laid off."
Part 2 of 3: Determining the Right Context
Step 1. Consider whether you are the right person to tell the news
Don't be a news anchor if you're just a casual acquaintance and hear the news at a glance. However, you should notify all family members if your younger sister is rushing to the hospital.
Even if you know what's going on, it's not wise to share personal or sensitive information about other people, such as through social media, for example. When hearing sad news or a very important event, let family and close relatives give the news or confirm it first before jumping to conclusions and getting involved in this
Step 2. Make sure you share the news in a place that is comfortable and provides privacy
Don't tell bad news in a public place where the recipient can't hide their feelings or sit down to calm down after hearing the news that has left him devastated. Look for a location that provides seats and provides a sense of comfort. Also, choose a place that is free of distractions, for example by:
- Turn off electronic devices (TV, radio, gadgets, etc.)
- Pull up the blinds or window blinds to increase privacy, but don't make the room too dark.
- Close the door or divide the room as a barrier so that both of you have privacy.
- If necessary, invite a family member or friend to accompany you.
Step 3. Choose the right time
Sometimes, you have to provide information immediately before the gossip spreads. However, wait until he is ready to talk and accept the bad news.
- Don't tell bad news to people who just got home from work/school or you just had an argument with your partner. While there's no "right" time to deliver bad news, wait a moment if it's just arrived.
- If you have to convey important and urgent information that makes it impossible to find the "perfect time," calm down first and say what happened. For example, "Jim, I have something to tell you right now."
- Urgency can be expressed over the phone, but it would be better if you asked him to meet to break the news in person. If you can't or the recipient really wants to know, ask if he or she can sit down on the phone because you'll be telling you something unpleasant. If you're not sure if he can handle bad news alone, make sure he's with someone else around him.
Step 4. Consider the recipient's feelings
. Try to find out what he already knows so you don't share the same news or prolong a difficult situation. This step helps you think of words and ways to open a conversation to break the bad news.
- Notice if he seems to have a bad feeling, is scared, anxious, or worried. Also think about whether this news came suddenly (eg news of someone dying in a car accident) or something that had not happened, but was inevitable (eg cancer treatment failure).
- Consider how bad this news is. Do you want to let someone know that their cat is dead or that you have just been laid off? News of the death of a family member or close friend? Bad news about yourself (e.g. you've been laid off) and issues that impact the recipients of the news will have different consequences (e.g. bad news about pet cats).
Part 3 of 3: Delivering Bad News Effectively
Step 1. Signal before breaking the news
As you begin to speak, say phrases that make someone ready to hear bad news. At the very least, you need to help the recipient of the news so that he can prepare himself beforehand even if you want to provide information directly so that he doesn't ask questions.
For example, you could say, "I'm very sorry, I have to share some sad news", "I just received a call from the hospital. There was an accident…", "I just consulted the doctor who treated you…", "It's very difficult. say it, but…”, “I have bad news to tell…”, etc
Step 2. If possible, try to cheer him up
When explaining what happened, respond if he shows emotion and help him calm down. The most important aspect of breaking news is how well you respond to the emotions of the recipient.
- Find the connection between the emotion and its trigger and show that you understand it. Do this by supporting the response, for example by saying, "You must be very upset" or "I can understand how upset and angry you are because of this," etc.
- He'll understand that you understand his sadness or other reaction and relate it to the news you just shared without judging, assuming, or trying to calm his emotions.
Step 3. Give him time if he chooses to be silent
People who hear bad news usually don't ask or ask for answers. Let the news settle. Many people immediately sat down and were devastated. In this situation, sit next to him and show empathy.
When comforting someone, consider local manners and culture so that the situation doesn't get worse
Step 4. Determine the next step
Think about what you need to do after breaking the bad news. Your actions can help keep someone from feeling hit and make them feel involved or want to do something to cope with, control, deal with, or accept the consequences of bad news. Help him determine how to solve the problem. If someone dies, how do friends or family accept this reality? If a pet cat dies, how will the owner deal with this incident? If someone has just been laid off, how can he find a new job?
- Take him somewhere, for example to the hospital, collect things, consult a counselor, to the police station, or as needed.
- Explain what might happen, especially those that involve you. For example, if you are a doctor who has to break some bad news about therapy, tell the patient what the next step is to keep the patient in contact with you. Provide assistance by saying that you are ready to help or will come back to check on his health.
- If you have promised to help a grieving person, do as you say.
- As much as possible, provide attention and support if he is still sad.
