The title of this post is inspired by Dr. Monippally's (IIMA Professsor) research paper 'Kinder Cut: A Macro Communication Strategy for Delivering a News of Job Termination'.
Everyone of us in a business or in a job has to deliver bad news either to our seniors or subordinates from time to time. It is just the part of a game. The following incident of Birbal presents the finest illustration of delivering an unpleasant message in the possible pleasant way.
* * *
Emperor Akbar, one night, dreamt that he had lost his teeth except one. He was worried about this dream and that's why next morning he invited all the best astrologers of his kingdom to interpret this dream.
After long discussions, the astrologers came to the conclusion and said, "The dream indicates that all the Emperor's relatives will die before him."
Akbar was very upset by this news and sent away all the astrologers without any reward. Later, that day Birbal entered the Court. Akbar shared with him his dream and asked him to analyse it.
After thinking for a while, Birbal said, "The dream indicates that the Emperor will live a longer and more fulfilled life than than any of his relatives." Akbar was glad with Birbal's explanation and rewarded him handsomely.
* * *
Delivering a bad news to a boss is like flirting with danger. But an adroit communicator will always find an alternative way to break the ice. Birbal here displayed the truth but he adjusted his words to suit his target's comfort. If you have no option telling a bitter truth in your duty as a manager or as an employee, better you tell it in a sugar-coated form to soften the harshness- and you may avoid the danger.
Thanks.
Rushiraj Waghela.
Everyone of us in a business or in a job has to deliver bad news either to our seniors or subordinates from time to time. It is just the part of a game. The following incident of Birbal presents the finest illustration of delivering an unpleasant message in the possible pleasant way.
* * *
Emperor Akbar, one night, dreamt that he had lost his teeth except one. He was worried about this dream and that's why next morning he invited all the best astrologers of his kingdom to interpret this dream.
After long discussions, the astrologers came to the conclusion and said, "The dream indicates that all the Emperor's relatives will die before him."
Akbar was very upset by this news and sent away all the astrologers without any reward. Later, that day Birbal entered the Court. Akbar shared with him his dream and asked him to analyse it.
After thinking for a while, Birbal said, "The dream indicates that the Emperor will live a longer and more fulfilled life than than any of his relatives." Akbar was glad with Birbal's explanation and rewarded him handsomely.
* * *
Delivering a bad news to a boss is like flirting with danger. But an adroit communicator will always find an alternative way to break the ice. Birbal here displayed the truth but he adjusted his words to suit his target's comfort. If you have no option telling a bitter truth in your duty as a manager or as an employee, better you tell it in a sugar-coated form to soften the harshness- and you may avoid the danger.
Thanks.
Rushiraj Waghela.
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