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how do you communicate good news professionally

by Ariel Hermiston Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

How do you communicate good news professionally?

  • Use a variety of media, not just email.
  • Communicate more than once.
  • Reveal it—don't conceal it.
  • Communicate bad news promptly.
  • Use professional language.
  • Include the good - news aspects of the bad news.
  • Do not sugarcoat, minimize, or disguise the message.
  • Don't rely only on trickle-down communication.

Being direct, honest, are empathetic are key. Provide all the facts you have available and allow your employees the time they need to process the news and ask questions. If they have questions you can't answer, assure them you'll do your best to get answers for them as quickly as possible.

Full Answer

How to give bad news in a good way?

Next, it is time to share the bad news. This should be done in a factual way. Avoid emotive language and an excessive delivery. Simply state what the bad news is and deliver it a confident manner. You will gain the respect of your audience by not trying to disguise the bad news, whilst not overly alarming them with the poor results.

How to deliver bad news to your audience?

Simply state what the bad news is and deliver it a confident manner. You will gain the respect of your audience by not trying to disguise the bad news, whilst not overly alarming them with the poor results. After delivering the bad news, it is time to lift the optimism levels of the audience by returning to some positive news.

How to give bad news in a presentation?

In this technique, you should present some positive news. This is a very important step as it starts the presentation on a positive note. You are giving the audience a positive energy, and something to “hold on to” when you share the bad news later in the presentation. Next, it is time to share the bad news.

What is the best way to deliver bad news to employees?

Of the methods outlined here, this is the most ethically appropriate for most business bad news situations. It relies upon presenting some good news while unemotionally delivering the bad news, then reinforcing a positive message. In this technique, you should present some positive news.

How do you announce good news professionally?

ProfessionalThat's great!Well done!I'm (so/really) glad to hear that!Wonderful! Thank you for sharing.I'm/we're very happy for you.Congratulations.That's very good news.

How do you communicate good news?

3 Ways to Make the Good News CountSmile. Let's start with facial expressions. ... Relax. When the message is serious, speakers tend to (and should) stand a little more stiffly and move around a little less. ... Let It Sink in. When you're making an exciting announcement, there's no need to rush.

How do you share good news with the team?

Tips on Sharing Important News With EmployeesGive It to Them Straight. ... Create a Continuous Information Sharing Loop. ... Share It on Your Company Slack Channel. ... Tell Employees In Person. ... Work Your Way Out. ... Schedule an All-Hands Video Conference. ... Provide the 'Why' ... Use the Traction Method.More items...•

How do you convey good news to your boss?

7 Ways to Build a Communication Bridge with Your ManagerSet the groundwork: During a time where things are quiet and peaceful, discuss with your manager what types of news should be shared and how. ... Never let your manager be surprised. ... Give a bit of advance notice. ... Take the time you need.More items...•

How do you deliver a good message?

7 Lessons for Delivering a Powerful MessageFocus on sharing your vision, not emphasizing the root problem. ... Use stories to inspire and support your message. ... Go after ONE idea, not the laundry list. ... Make it easy to spread your message. ... Enthusiasm and energy matter—A LOT.More items...•

How do you write a professional announcement?

How to write an announcement letterGather all appropriate information. ... Outline your letter. ... Keep your letter concise. ... Remain positive. ... Proofread the announcement. ... Announcement letter about a budget surplus. ... Announcement letter about a hiring freeze.

How do you announce the news?

Present your information in a plain and complete way, so your reader will understand you the first time (and not ask questions later). If the news you are announcing is bad, write it in a direct statement. Add a message of understanding and optimism to your announcement, in a respectful tone.

What is good news messages in business communication?

A message that will receive favorable response or neutral reaction from your reader. It is usually easy to write because such messages tell your reader something pleasant. These messages are generally organized by the direct approach-also known as good - news.

How do you start an email with good news?

Set the tone for your email right away by telling your reader you're writing with good news. The words “pleased,” “happy” and “delighted” work well....Include them in sentences like these:“I am/We are pleased to inform you…”“I'm happy to tell you…”“You'll be happy/delighted to hear that…”

How do you thank someone for good news?

"Thank you very much for the great new!" "Thank you very much for the great news!"

How to make positive news relatable?

If particular individuals, departments or external partners played a role in bringing this positive news about, acknowledge their contributions, name them, and give recognition. This not only makes the news relatable and personal, but avoids the danger of putting anyone’s nose out of joint and turning that positive announcement into a source of disgruntlement.

Why is good news important?

More importantly, good news is an opportunity – to engage employees, build morale, a sense of pride or enhance your internal brand. If business focus is elsewhere – for example, on a push to achieve quarterly targets, or to launch a new product line – your news may be pushed to the bottom of the priority list, disregarded, or simply not seen. Our instinct with positive news is to share it as soon as possible, but in may prove more effective to delay slightly, if you’re vying for attention.

How many steps are there in internal communication?

Are you making the most of your internal comms? Our handy eBooks takes you through 14 steps to achieving great internal communications.

What happens if you make a bad announcement?

Handled badly, a negative announcement can trigger a ripple effect on business: impact morale, productivity, lead to a surge in employee turnover. Worse still, if disgruntled staff take their feelings public, you’ve got a full-scale PR nightmare that can cause long-term damage to your brand and reputation. eBook.

What is the difference between information and communication?

The two words ‘information’ and ‘communication’ are often used interchangeably, but they signify quite different things. Information is giving out; communication is getting through. – Sydney J. Harris

What is the role of internal communicators?

One of the core responsibilities of any internal communicator operating in the digital age is to filter, target, and personalize communication. Employees are continually exposed to digital noise, both as part of their roles and within their personal lives.

Why is it important to stagger a publication according to the geographic location?

Staggering publication according to the specific geography of the audience is more likely to be well-received and increases the likelihood of engagement.

How to make your communication easy to read?

To start, that means skipping over any fonts that are decorative or hard to read. Stick with a basic, sleek font that can be read with ease.

Why is it important to communicate in text?

When you are communicating in text, it is important that all your writing is done professionally. Written communication may be referred back to later, and it represents your professional capability as well as the reputation of the company you’re working for. When communicating with clients or staff, professional writing can go a long way.

How is oral communication different from written communication?

One of the ways that oral communication and written communication are different is that written communication comes with proof. Whether you write a formal letter, a press release or an email, know that it could end up in the hands of more than just your originally intended audience.

What are the common communication errors that should be avoided?

These include anything that will detract from the message, lessen your professional appearance or take away from the importance of the text.

How to avoid miscommunication?

While long, rambling emails are not usually appreciated, don’t be so direct that it could come off as rude. Also, add in notes of appreciation or gratitude if the message calls for it.

Why is proofreading important in writing?

When you communicate in text, appearances won’t necessarily include how you dress or how you present yourself. Instead, it will focus on how you present your words and how put-together your written communication can be. That is why proofreading is such a critical component of written communication. If possible, pass your text on to another person ...

Why is it important to know who you are communicating with?

Who are you communicating with, and what do you know about them? This is important because it will dictate your jargon or the level of formality or informality you select. Knowing your audience helps you gear your comments toward what they already know, understand and care about. If you don’t know enough about them to create a clear communication strategy, seek to learn more.

How to make the information relevant to listeners?

Use stories and context for your listener to make the information relevant to them.

How to make your story come alive?

What do they care about? Is there a way you can deliver your information so they can relate to it? Make your stories come alive by adding emotion, but make sure your emotion is not dedicated to degrading or making fun of someone. The emotional response should be positive and uplifting. Your audience should be heartened or encouraged by your message. Even when delivering tough news, as with not-for-profits that deal with disaster and heartache every day, show the stories of how a supporter’s contributions are helping to turn things around. Most people want to be part of something good — a solution or a positive outcome.

What is Forbes Boston Business Council?

Forbes Boston Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners in Greater Boston. Do I qualify?

Is being a clear communicator easy?

Being a clear and consistent communicator is not easy. It takes practice and discipline. Think of professional PR people who have to keep their game face on no matter what gets thrown at them. Or representatives for companies that have done something wrong and need to appeal to the public to give them a second chance.

Is it easy to be a clear and consistent communicator?

There will be times you would rather yell than gather your strength and speak professionally. There will be times you want to just ignore someone and leave a conflict or issue unaddressed. There will be people you’d rather walk by than have to speak to in your workplace. These are facts. Being a clear and consistent communicator is not easy. It takes practice and discipline.

Is professional courtesy a skill?

Professional courtesy in communication is still a necessary skill in most business environments. It can be tempting to give in to emotional outbursts, but few people who have done so look back with pride. Most people who “lost it” wish they could take the words back and choose a different route.

How Can You Present Bad News?

If you have ideas that you feel like sharing that might be helpful to readers, share them in the comments section below. Thanks!

What is the last step in delivering the bad news?

The last step in delivering the bad news is to avoid making excuses or apportioning blame. The bad news happened. There is nothing that can be done to change that situation. However, the lessons have been learned and are being applied.

How to avoid emotive language?

Avoid emotive language and an excessive delivery. Simply state what the bad news is and deliver it a confident manner. You will gain the respect of your audience by not trying to disguise the bad news, whilst not overly alarming them with the poor results.

What happens if you fail to convey your expertise on the topic?

If you fail to convey your expertise on the topic, your audience will question the statistics and “spin” you are presenting them.

How to start lifting the optimism of your audience?

Instead, you want to start lifting the optimism of your audience by highlight any major achievements or good work that was completed.

When you deliver your presentation, should you ensure your energy levels remain high?

When you deliver your presentation, you should ensure your energy levels remain high to provide the optimism that your audience needs to feel that the position of your company is good.

When do organizations present their financial results?

Towards the end of the year, organizations present their financial results. Inevitably, for some organizations the financial reports will not be good, and the bad news will need to be presented carefully to avoid upsetting investors and internal staff.

How to explain bad news?

For example: "Your deal fell through because …" or "You are being let go because…"Offer a sentence or two to explain what happened or why it happened, but don't elaborate too much. Explaining too much detracts from the principal message you want to convey and in some cases prolongs the conversation more than the listener is comfortable with. It is extremely important to be truthful with the person when you offer a short explanation. We all know the phrase, "Honesty is the best policy." Your listener will find out if you are not honest with him or her sooner or later, and that will only make the situation worse. If you have to deliver the news to an entire department or a group of individuals, don't give one of them different information from the others. Be careful with your message. They will most likely talk to each other after the bad news has been delivered. Another thing to avoid is speculating with your listener about any plans or changes. Phrases like, "If something changes in the future..." or something similar are confusing. It can seem like you are making the situation better, but giving false hope is worse for the person in the long run.

How to deliver bad news?

Be empathetic. Bad news is best delivered in person, and how you deliver the message is many times more important than what you actually say. Think about how you would feel if you were the one receiving the bad news, and prepare your words accordingly. Be mindful of your facial expressions and body language.

How to avoid being stressed during a project?

Be mindful of the setting as well. Turn off any computer alerts and make sure your phone is on silent. Close any curtains or blinds if others will be able to see your conversation.

Is it easy to give bad news?

Giving someone bad news is not easy, whether it's telling your client that their investment has gone south, informing an employee that he or she has been let go or announcing to your department that its project has been cut. Many professionals will go to great lengths to avoid giving bad news, but as we all know, ...

Do you give one person different information after the bad news is delivered?

If you have to deliver the news to an entire department or a group of individuals, don't give one of them different information from the others. Be careful with your message. They will most likely talk to each other after the bad news has been delivered.

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