“How to Give Someone Really, Really Bad News”

Say you’re not able to see them in person. You call instead and it goes unanswered. Should you leave a message explaining the events? No, according to Cohen. You can’t guarantee they’re in a position to receive bad news (say they’re on the road. You wouldn’t want them to panic).

Instead, just state that it’s bad news and find an available time to speak. “‘I have some news that will probably be distressing to you,’” she suggested. “Or ‘I have some bad news that I, unfortunately, have to break to you, when it’s okay to talk.’”

Remain clear

On Twitter, Alderman suggested starting the conversation with something like, “‘I’ve got some really sad news I’m afraid.’” Then, make it 100 percent clear who or what is involved. “When people hear that there’s bad news coming they not even really listening or absorbing it,” Cohen added. “They’re sort of figuring this all out before you say it.”