People Prefer When Negative Information Doesn't Come With A Buffer, Says New Study
Delivering bad news to someone can be quite a difficult task and many of us have a habit of trying to buffer that bad news with some pleasantries beforehand in order to make it easier.
We don't just want to dive right into the 'you're fired' or 'I'm breaking up with you,' instead we'll offer some buffer conversation beforehand to try and ease ourselves into the situation.
But according to a recent study by researchers from Brigham Young University (BYU), most people would rather go without the compliment buffer and gentle pleasantries. They say that it's better if you just jump right into it; people prefer directness when receiving bad news and they don't want to be pacified with any buffer talk.
In their study, they discovered that participants often valued directness rather than beating around the bush with some exaggerated and polite lead up to that disclosure of information.
However, when it comes to social relationships like a break-up they did see that participants sometimes preferred a slight ease into that scenario rather than a quick rip and dump.
But for news that needs to be given relating to physical illnesses or private property, emergency scenarios etc, people just want the news-bearer to get straight to the point.
Participants in their study overwhelmingly signaled that they value honesty and directness more than other characteristics such as the message being considerate, or reasonable, and so on.
Because it is so difficult at times for those who are giving the bad news to be able to bring themselves to do it, many have opted for embracing the compliment sandwich routine.
Many professionals in order to relay bad news pertaining to their business endeavors, have developed habits that drag out the bad-news-delivering experience, thinking its best to provide plenty of buffer when doing it. However, for those who that might still not be working for (in making it any easier to get the job done) maybe it's time to consider more directness.
Researchers involved with the study did mention that where people become incredibly sensitive is when the discussion starts to relate to their personal belief system. And in those times, it's important that the news-bearer be considerate in buffering the information if they want to decrease the chances of escalating the situation after the news is heard.
Pics:
Pixabay
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Sources:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171005141739.htm
http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0893318988002001006
https://hbr.org/2015/03/how-to-deliver-bad-news-to-your-employees
Happens on a daily base and I personally rather be told something direct because the truth is the truth, there is no way around it no matter what you say. Things said directly may hurt more but it doesn't sting for a longer period .
Bad news has no other way , what goes around comes around
Yeah i agree strange how that always happens.
One of my favorite scenes in moneyball is when they talk about cutting players. Brad Pitt says " Would you rather get a bullet to the head or 5 to the chest and bleed out?"
That was a great movie, think I wanna watch it again. 😀 😃 😄 😁 Have a wonderful day!
I was going to mention something but this video totally showed what I was thinking!!!
I really like how my father delivers bad news. I was there when he was making calls to relatives about a relative's death. He said "Hi, X; I have some bad news. Y has passed away." (where Y is the deceased, and X is the person he's calling.)
Not a whole lot of buffer -- a minimal amount, to prepare the listener for the bad news in the next breath.
He's taught me a lot.
After my own heart LoL.
When unfavorable, unexpected news comes wrapped up in anything less than specific, constructive feedback (i.e. BS), it will likely just add insult to the injury, especially after the receiver has had time for it to "sink in". If the messenger has some understanding of the other persons situation and perspective, then they have insight into what can contribute value to the receiver while conveying respect.
This is so true...although giving bad news to someone you dont like could be fun lol and straight forward.
But imagine having your sibling die and having to tell your nephews/nieces. Great post
thanks for taking the time to comment and for checking it out! :)
Interesting study. I think there is no "one size fits all" in a professional environment. Some recipients of feedback would prefer to receive a "nicer" feedback, while others prefer (or only respond to) direct feedback.
For the giver of feedback, when possible, either showing the intent to help others succeed in the future, simply showing support, or making the best out of a bad situation results in the best delivery of the bad news. Just my opinion of course.
We tend to say things softly because it can touch us sentimentally, it is difficult to be hard depending on what information we want to share.
Makes sense, directness is a good move, but rare. Not politically correct often. 😀 😃 😄 😁 Have a wonderful day!
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