Be the Bad Guy

A leader knows that they have matured into the role when he or she can deliver bad news in a quick and effective manner, doing little damage, and in fact inspiring positive action. This takes savoir-faire. We all have hard news to convey from time to time. How we do it is oftentimes remembered even more than the message itself. We can sting, educate or enthuse with the same message. CNN ran a story over this past weekend on ‘Bad Bosses,’ discussing how few people learn to deal with the power of being in a ‘boss’ as they climb the ladder to success. They told stories of employees suing their bosses and painted a pretty bleak picture.

Having worked with hundreds of leaders who truly do want to make a difference in doing their very best for their employees and company, my experience is quite different. The challenge is that not all individuals who are promoted to leadership positions are given the tools to do their new job. Those who succeed in leadership positions know that they are in a sandwich position. They will always have someone above them stating their expectations and those below them who they need to motivate, protect, discipline and inspire all a the same time. When speaking of stating their expectations or delivering hard news leaders, often tell me: "I don’t want to be the bad guy." To which I reply: "If you really were the bad guy, you wouldn’t worry about it. The fact that you do, shows how much you truly care."

Here are six keys to successfully communicating hard news in a manner that will inspire, not offend:

• Know what you want; know what your specific expectations are of this employee.
• Begin with questions. The staff member may be one step ahead of you, waiting for this discussion and may save you the agony of correcting their actions.
• Know and mirror this person’s communication style. If they are bottom line, be bottom line. If they need more information or time to digest, provide both.
• Respectfully tell the truth (no sugar coating if possible.)
• Lead and end with something positive. They’ll remember the hard stuff; give them something else to focus upon as well.
• Make sure that your point is being both heard and understood. Oftentimes, the only message that gets across is: "I messed up; I’m not good enough. I’m going to get fired." Ask them what they are hearing and what specific steps they’ll take as a result of this discussion. Watch their body language closely.

If you worry too much about delivering hard news, you may never get there. Procrastination is a killer to effective communication as your angst will come out in other ways such as body language, impatience or vocal tones. Ultimate good is being served for both you and your employee.

• You will unfold courage and strength.
• You employee will know their mistakes and be able to correct.
Without your 'being the bad guy,' neither of you could enjoy this growth opportunity.

On behalf of those whom you lead, be bold enough to be the ‘bad guy’ the next time you have difficult information to deliver. This will allow your team to grow, know without doubt what you expect of them and allow your company to prosper. What’s better than working for a leader you can trust who will consistently let you know where you stand? Now that’s inspiring! Enjoy your discoveries and have a great week!