Don't Sandwich the Bad News

This is a post with no message and no purpose.

I noticed that it's been three weeks since I last posted on this blog, it's definitely not for lack of thoughts; in fact, I've encountered so many new ideas in the past two weeks that I continue to be in the process of synthesizing them all. I need to make a systematic effort to write down my thoughts (yes, each and every theme that comes along) so that they don't get lost in the traffic of information in my head.

So, what's 'don't sandwich the bad news' all about? Nothing mind blowing. In the past year, I've read quite a few articles teaching people how to break the bad news or how to deliver negative feedback; I've also attended people management training sessions that gave me tips on how to do this. The common message was to sandwich the bad between two good tidbits. This may be sound in theory, but unless you're skilled at delivering the news, it'll just come across as insincere and scripted... at least to those who've already heard of the sandwich strategy.

My opinion on this matter is that whatever the nature of the news, be it good or bad, just give it to the person straight up... no room for miscommunication, no room for misunderstandings. If the recipient of the 'message' is unable to take (harsh) reality in stride, you've already done your best to get through, their ignorance is their problem.

Reflecting on my opinion, I seem to be fitting into the anti-social image that's been following me around the office of late. The funny thing is that (based on feedback) this anti-social image exists only within the so many walls of my office, it hasn't extended to the wider space that is my workplace (interactions with colleagues at other offices) nor to my other relationships. So what makes me so different at the office? Now, that's something new for me to ponder on.