How to Break Bad News

Most of the time, owning your own business gives you the opportunity to do fun things like dole out bonuses, offer promotions or deliver top-of-the-line products and services. But when it comes to running your own business, it's inevitable that sometimes you're going to have to be the bearer of bad news. The next time you're preparing to break bad news to your employees or customers, keep in mind these tips from the New York Times' toolkit:

Take charge. "There is a natural tendency to want to put off delivering bad news as long as possible," Brown writes. But bad news doesn't improve with age, so make sure you address any issues before rumors start flying around the office.

Stay positive. If you have to deliver bad news directly to an employee, start out by praising the good things about their performance. For example, if you need to reprimand your assistant for dressing inappropriately at work, start out by praising his or her great organizational skills., and then gently outline the company dress code.

Use a script. Whether you're speaking to employees or clients, write a script so your message comes out eloquent and deliberate. This will ensure a clear and consistent message.

For more tips on delivering bad news, click here.