Learned this in Axiom, Bill Hybel’s book on leadership.

When you are going to talk to your people tell them the bad news first, then the good news. Why?

Because if you end with the bad news – that is all they are going to remember.

I experienced this last night. I had to talk to some of our leaders about a major move that we would be doing next month that would require us to remove something very sentimental to them.

I started with the bad news. I communicated that there was a problem and we are not meeting our goals. I then told them that they is a good news as well.

The night ended with them thanking the church leadership for telling it to them and that they are excited for what is up ahead.

So remember: bad news first then the GOOD news!!!