Correct People Kindly

Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) was overcome for a time, frightened by the meaning of the dream. . . . “I wish the events foreshadowed in this dream would happen to your enemies, my lord, and not to you!” Daniel 4:19

My consulting assignments often involve fixing problems, and I am required to deliver negative reports to my clients. There is no pleasure in being the bearer of bad news—except that it eventually leads to corrective action—and I always preface my comments by saying, “This will be uncomfortable, but you paid me to tell you the truth, so here it is.”

I’ve never feared for my life, as Daniel did, but our attitudes are similar. When you have bad news to deliver, do it with grace.

Don’t pull punches or sugarcoat reality, but protect the feelings of the person receiving the report. Daniel knew that Nebuchadnezzar would endure seven years of insanity. He warned the king and urged him to take action to avoid calamity.

Decision makers need all the facts, both positive and negative.