Good News or Bad News First? Your Setting Matters, Science Says

Harold Robert Meyer and The ADD Resource Center 12/12/2024

In the business world, leading with bad news often proves most effective. Why? Professional settings demand swift action and clear decision-making. When managers deliver bad news first, employees can better focus on solutions and next steps without the anxiety of waiting for “the other shoe to drop.”

The dynamic shifts in personal relationships. With family and friends, emotional impact takes priority over action items. Leading with good news can:

  • Create an emotional buffer
  • Build trust and connection
  • Make difficult news easier to process
  • Leave the conversation on a more hopeful note

However, there’s a crucial exception in both settings: known preferences. If someone has explicitly told you they prefer bad news first, respect that choice regardless of context. This shows you value their communication style and helps maintain trust.

Think of it this way: In business, we optimize for decisions. In personal life, we optimize for emotional well-being. Both approaches are valid – they just serve different purposes.

Remember that timing also matters. Whether business or personal, avoid delivering mixed news right before major events, deadlines, or when someone needs to focus on other important tasks.

© 2024 The ADD Resource Center. All rights reserved. 12/12/2024

Ready to Transform Your Journey? Join Our Community Today!

Discover a world of exclusive benefits and transformative content waiting for you. Our thriving community of learners and innovators is growing every day – and we’d love to have you join us! Not a subscriber yet?  Click Here.

For over 30 years, Harold Robert Meyer and The ADD Resource Center have provided expert ADHD support through:

  • Comprehensive services for individuals, families, and organizations:
    • Personalized guidance and education
    • Behavioral intervention strategies
    • Support for healthcare providers, educators, and industry
  • Evidence-based resources:
    • Informative articles and publications
    • Workshops and seminars
  • Advocacy to promote understanding and reduce stigma

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU

info@addrc.org +1 646.205.8080

addrc

Recent Posts

How Children with ADHD Quickly Learn to Manipulate Their Parents—and How to Break the Cycle.

When you and your parenting partner are not aligned, your child with ADHD may quickly…

5 days ago

The Link Between Smog, Air Pollution, and ADHD: What You Need to Know

If you’re a parent, educator, or health-conscious individual, you know that ADHD can profoundly affect…

1 week ago

Optimizing Workplace Decisions When You Have ADHD: Decision Science Approaches That Actually Work

Your ability to make effective decisions directly impacts your career trajectory, yet ADHD can create…

1 week ago

The Ultimate AI Prompting Cheat Sheet for Business Writing: Master the PTCF Framework

Poor prompting leads to generic, off-target responses that require extensive editing, ultimately wasting more time…

2 weeks ago

Self-Care and Relationship Enhancement Activities for Couples

The concept of "pair care" has emerged as a critical framework for understanding how couples…

2 weeks ago