Learn to find out the other person's picture of the situation with open questions before you deliver the news.
Perception: ask first
P — Perception
The rule of step P is simple: “before you tell, ask.” You find out what the person already knows, what they suspect, and how they understand the situation.
Open questions: “What have you already been told about your condition?”, “What's your understanding of what's going on?”, “What were you expecting from today's results?” The answers give you two things: a starting point (the person has already figured it all out — or is expecting good news), and their vocabulary, emotions, and possible misconceptions.
This saves time and protects you from two mistakes: announcing as news something the person already knows — or dropping a diagnosis on someone who isn't ready at all.
Lesson notes
P — Perception
The rule of step P is simple: “before you tell, ask.” You find out what the person already knows, what they suspect, and how they understand the situation.
Open questions: “What have you already been told about your condition?”, “What's your understanding of what's going on?”, “What were you expecting from today's results?” The answers give you two things: a starting point (the person has already figured it all out — or is expecting good news), and their vocabulary, emotions, and possible misconceptions.
This saves time and protects you from two mistakes: announcing as news something the person already knows — or dropping a diagnosis on someone who isn't ready at all.