How does bad news flow where you are? I think the handling of the bad news is an interesting test of leadership and organizational health.
- Real leaders get the bad news first. If the boss isn’t the first one a person tells about problems and bad news, then there’s something wrong with that boss. Why is there a delay? What are they afraid of? People instinctively go to a real leader with bad news because they want the leader to know quickly and they expect the leader to come up with the right response.
- Real leaders deliver bad news quickly and well. In many ways that’s a test of leadership. Hiding bad news is rarely a good idea.
- Real leaders take responsibility for bad news. They jump in and collaborate on solutions. Bucks don’t get passed.
I’ve seen this phenomenon for years, in small business and entrepreneurship. I think I see it in larger politics, too.
What do you think?
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