Not everyone is naturally designed to be the bearer of bad news. Some people enjoy the potential of conflict or have no problem potentially disappointing others but many do have trouble especially when it comes to telling their boss something that their boss may not want to hear.

The following are some suggestions to making one of life's natural occurrences a little easier for people who are conflict avoidant or highly empathetic.

1) Don't add fuel to the situation: Be prepared for any situation but don't actually EXPECT a bad outcome if you are telling your boss bad news. If you expect or are fearful or nervous about your interaction with your boss it just creates a self-fulfilling prophecy and fuels the environment which increases a sense of discomfort for both you and your boss. Centre yourself and approach your boss calmly and with confidence while being genuine and sincere.

2) Use the Mary Kay approach of "Positive-Negative-Positive" to giving your boss the bad news. Start off by saying something positive, then give the bad news and then wrap up with something positive. Again be genuine and sincere so you do not come across as a Polly-Anna, but wrapping you bad news in something positive softens the news and starts the conversation and ends your conversation on a positive note. Positivity and a positive upstate is the key approaching problems in any successful relationship whether that is with your boss, a relationship or your family.

3) Remember that everyone does things for a reason: Approach your boss openly, in nonjudgment and remind yourself not to take anything personally. Your boss is human and everyone does things for a reason. If your boss does become upset or disappointed, even if you are the cause of what the bad news is about (i.e. You did a mistake) don't take your boss's reaction personally, your boss may have had a bad day, he or she may not know alterative ways to reacting to news, they may be tired, stressed or even have low blood sugar. Just remember to treat them with the same respect, understanding, and kindness and in the same way that you would like to be treated if you were having a bad day or if your were feeling frustrated or disappointed.

4) Remember communication and feedback is part of your job: Another important key to any successful relationship, including the relationship between your boss and you is open communication. In order for people to be on the same page and to be able to maintain, expand and improve their relationship, a free flow of communication is needed. If you need to tell you boss bad news, it is in the highest and best good for you, the boss and the company, because whatever the problem is, there is always a solution within it, a solution that ultimately will help with the growth and expansion of both the company and everyone involved.

The suggestions may seem simplistic, but they are just a reflection of how simple telling your boss bad news really can be.

Learn more about this author, Melody Chase.
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