Clarity Solutions
  • Home
  • Training Programs
    • Media Training >
      • Media Essentials
      • Managing Your Media Performance
      • 30 Minutes with the Media
      • Media Crisis Plans that Work
    • Crisis Training >
      • Crisis Essentials
      • Crisis Workout
      • Crisis Fundamentals
    • Executive Coaching >
      • What To Expect
    • Presentation Skills
    • Strategic Communication >
      • High Stakes Speech and Presentation Skills
      • Speech & Presentation Skills
      • Strategic Conversations
      • Communicate Leadership
    • Thought Leadership
    • Social Media
  • Resource Hub
    • Interview Tips
    • Crisis Media Tips
    • Visual Language >
      • Memorable One-Liners
    • Dressing For Television
    • Sounding Great On Radio & Podcasts
    • Social Media For Business
    • Perfect PowerPoint
    • Clearway Blog
  • About Clarity
    • Meet The Team >
      • Geoffrey Stackhouse
      • Sharon Leifer
    • Why Clarity?
    • How to Choose a Trainer
  • Contact Us

        Clearway Blog

HOW TO BREAK BAD NEWS

17/9/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
A difficult subject matter, like a tragedy, is no excuse for poor communication. That's when what you say, and how you say it, matters most.
Geoffrey Stackhouse, Managing Director, Clarity Solutions

I wasn’t planning on going here this week, but this quote is so inappropriate, and is dominating today’s media in Sydney, that I had to call it out. 

It’s even worse because it’s from a really tragic story about a missing child.

"The experts cannot substantiate that survival in the bush would be there at this point in time," he said.

The spokesperson has to break the sad news that police have given up hope for the child’s survival. But there are better ways to do it.

Difficult subject matter is never a justification for poor communication. Such a sensitive topic calls for empathy and compassion, as well as a crystal clear insight from the Police so they don’t leave us guessing.

There are many ways this statement could have been framed and presented – most of them more appropriate than this line. When you have to break bad news remember:

 1. Show you understand the hurt and the pain, and that it touches you.
 2. Be succinct and explicit so you don’t leave room for guesswork or interpretation.
 3. Ignore the camera and imagine you are talking directly to the people affected. 

If you'd like to volunteer with the SES check out this link


0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Blog Archive

    October 2020
    September 2020
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    April 2017
    March 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    October 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    May 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012

    Book Your
    ​Training
Subscribe for Updates
Picture
 02 9880 8544

Picture
clarity@claritysolutions.com.au

Home / Training / Resources
About / Contact / FAQ
  • Home
  • Training Programs
    • Media Training >
      • Media Essentials
      • Managing Your Media Performance
      • 30 Minutes with the Media
      • Media Crisis Plans that Work
    • Crisis Training >
      • Crisis Essentials
      • Crisis Workout
      • Crisis Fundamentals
    • Executive Coaching >
      • What To Expect
    • Presentation Skills
    • Strategic Communication >
      • High Stakes Speech and Presentation Skills
      • Speech & Presentation Skills
      • Strategic Conversations
      • Communicate Leadership
    • Thought Leadership
    • Social Media
  • Resource Hub
    • Interview Tips
    • Crisis Media Tips
    • Visual Language >
      • Memorable One-Liners
    • Dressing For Television
    • Sounding Great On Radio & Podcasts
    • Social Media For Business
    • Perfect PowerPoint
    • Clearway Blog
  • About Clarity
    • Meet The Team >
      • Geoffrey Stackhouse
      • Sharon Leifer
    • Why Clarity?
    • How to Choose a Trainer
  • Contact Us