You shouldn’t delay giving staffers important news, whether it’s good or bad.
But you can try using different tactics, depending on whether the news is good or bad:
1. Always give bad news yourself
The last thing you need is staffers learning about cutbacks, pay freezes or other kinds of bad news via the rumor mill instead of from you.
Unless you’re under orders to keep bad news under wraps, don’t delay in letting your people know – face to face.
On the other hand …
2. Let staffers share good news
Closing early before a three-week holiday? Let a staffer know about a piece of good news like that and have him or her tell others.
It makes you look charitable with info and uninterested in taking credit for a positive development.