How to Give Your Boss Bad News and Keep Your Credibility - EP007

Are you afraid to give your boss bad news for fear they’ll shoot the messenger?

No, it doesn’t feel good to let a supervisor know when something’s gone wrong. But waiting until it’s too late is much, much worse.

So, what is the best way to approach the conversation? How do you show up with professionalism, perspective, and a potential path forward?

On this episode of Career Confessions, I discuss how to deliver bad news, explaining why you shouldn’t wait to address serious issues with your boss—even if you haven’t come up with a solution yet.

I weigh in on why you should schedule a time to talk rather than waiting for a one-on-one, describing how downplaying bad news impacts your credibility.

Listen in to understand why you should focus on facts (rather than assigning blame) and learn the four steps to delivering bad news in an intentional, solutions-focused way.

 

Key Takeaways  

Why we shouldn’t wait to bring up bad news (even if we don’t have a solution yet)

Why it’s crucial to consider your boss’ communication style

My top 4 tips for delivering bad news to your supervisor in an intentional way

Why you should schedule a time to talk vs. waiting for a 1:1

How downplaying bad news impacts your credibility

The importance of focusing on facts, not what went wrong

How to bring your boss options and ask for input around solving the problem at hand

The value in taking on accountability when you didn’t make the mistake

How to explain what went wrong and prevent the problem from happening again

Connect with Andrea

Andrea Martin Consulting

Andrea on Instagram

Andrea on YouTube

Andrea on LinkedIn 

Resources

Andrea’s Success Blueprint Vault Mastermind