Breaking Difficult News
Manager
Direct
Breaking bad news to your team about a canceled project
Leadership killed a project your team poured months into.
Strategy
Lead with the decision, then the why, then what it means for each of them. Do not defend the decision you disagree with, and do not trash it either.
Atlas is canceled, effective today. I found out yesterday afternoon. The reason given is that the enterprise segment moved and the revenue case no longer holds. I pushed back. The decision stands. What this means for you: nobody's role is at risk. I am meeting each of you this week to talk about where your work goes next. The prototype work is not wasted, and I will make sure that is visible.
If they push back
If someone says this is a waste: "You are allowed to be angry about it. I am. What I will not do is pretend the decision is going to change."
What not to say
- Leadership knows best
- Everything happens for a reason
- I cannot say much about it
- Let us focus on the positives
Follow-up
Recap from this morning: Atlas is closed, no role changes, and 1:1s are on your calendar this week. Bring me your questions, including the uncomfortable ones.