Softening the Blow

“The sky is falling! The sky is falling!”  When I sat down to write this article, I began to wonder if this would not have been a more appropriate title. If perception really is reality, your ability to be direct and honest while balancing the emotions of your audience will undoubtedly determine how effectively you can “soften the blow” of bad news.  

While few people enjoy being the barer of bad news, most of us will be faced with this unpleasant task at some point in our career.  I can honestly say, that during my 15 years as a consultant, I have rarely been part of a project that did not involve the escalation of issues… it’s inevitable.

Most of us understand that there is variability in projects just as there is variability within life.  Plan as you might, the unexpected still occurs.  The success of your relationships both inside and outside of your career almost certainly depends on how effectively you communicate critical issues. 

Within a project environment, successfully communicating critical issues begins with a strong emphasis on project management.  While the structure alone does not ensure success, it does provide the necessary infrastructure to enable consistent and effective communication.   Whether you are communicating issues from a leadership perspective or through personal relationships, there are a number of key concepts to …