BEFORE YOU PRESS PLAY
What is discussed
AskMonty AI editorial noteSource consulted:
Marco recalls making bad news worse with excessive preambles and reassurance after damaging a plant his partner cared about. He contrasts that approach with a technique attributed to Chris Voss: briefly warn that the news will be unwelcome, pause, then state it directly. His explanation of negative emotion is colloquial; the story does not demonstrate a neurological effect or guarantee a favourable response.
Key points
- Repeated reassurance can heighten anxious anticipation of bad news.
- The technique attributed to Voss uses a brief warning and pause before the fact.
- The suggestion is to state the news directly without promising how the listener will react.
