The end of bad news Fridays

A post on the Korn Ferry Institute website argues for the end of companies releasing bad news on Friday afternoons.

The story reads, “If ever there was a good time to announce layoffs, missed earnings, or other bad news, a summer Friday afternoon used to be it. The markets would be closed. Analysts and reporters would be checking out for the weekend. Few would be watching, and the news might be forgotten by Monday morning.

“Indeed, while a recent survey by Korn Ferry shows that 47 percent of executives still choose Friday to deliver bad news versus Monday through Thursday, it may no longer make a difference. In today’s 24/7 hyperconnected world, experts say the ‘when’ of things hardly matters — it’s the ‘how’ and ‘why’ that counts. CEOs and business leaders need to be authentic, transparent, and emotionally intelligent when communicating problems, says Kevin Cashman, senior client partner at Korn Ferry. ‘Instead of thinking of timing of a message, think about the depth and quality of the message itself and how it affects all stakeholders,’ he says.

“It comes down to context. If leaders explain the broader strategy behind an event and anticipate the emotional response—a skill known as resonant leadership—they’re bound to have greater success.”

Read more here.