How to break bad news over text
Bad news over text needs to be clear, present, and short. Long messages read as cushioning that helps nobody.
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Three ways to say it
“hi, i wanted to let you know something, i've been putting off telling you but i just have to say it: [thing] happened and i'm so sorry to have to be the one to tell you”
I have to tell you something hard: [thing] happened. I'm so sorry.
“hey i really need to tell you something and i feel awful about the timing but i'm not going to be able to make the trip and i know how much you were looking forward to it”
I have to cancel the trip. I know the timing is brutal. I'm so sorry.
“hi, i've been sitting with this and i wanted to reach out personally, we've made a decision on [thing] and i'm sorry to say it's not going to be you, i know this is hard to hear”
The decision on [thing] didn't go your way. I'm sorry to say it here — you deserved a real conversation.