Breaking bad news to your board

A founder asked my advice on breaking bad news to her board.

I said:

"No surprises"

As a rule, boards should not be surprised at the actual board meeting.

Tell them as soon as you can, preferably over email, ask for the help you need and work with them.

Surprised board members in board meetings tend to become "lions backed up in corners."

A lot of founders struggle with delivering bad news. It's not an easy thing to do. But you have to trust your board members. And share good and bad equally...

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