Executives, managers and supervisors will agree that they want their subordinates to tell them about bad news immediately. It may be a partial report. It may involve "This is what it looks like at this point." All of the facts may not be available but they want a "heads-up" which is workplace-speak for "duck!"
Their worry is reasonable. Why accept a delay that may put them in risk of being surprised by a boss or reporter who knows more about what's going on in their area than they do? Not a good thing.
So the rule is simple: Bad news? Deliver it pronto.
Now here's the kicker: If that rule is so widely known, why do so many seasoned decision makers commit the sin of sitting on bad news? My guess is they get too clever and believe they can spin the situation. That's a mistake. The longer they hesitate and don't disclose the sad story to their boss, the more likely it is to harm them.
By delaying their report, they have created another problem; one that directly goes to their conduct..
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