Nobody likes to be the bearer of bad news. It can be especially unpleasant if you need to break the bad news to a boss or director. Even if you have a strong relationship with your boss and a solid track record at work, it can still feel uncomfortable sharing certain updates. Giving bad news can be an emotional experience. You don’t want to disappoint your boss or give them a reason to lose faith in you.

So, how do you handle situations in which you need to deliver bad news at work? According to Karin Hurt, CEO of Let’s Grow Leaders, you can try the D.A.R.N. approach. We discuss her thoughts on this approach in this issue of Promotional Consultant Today.

Disclose. It’s important to outline the situation and what led to the outcome. What was the root cause? How did you get to this point? Give your boss all the information. The goal is to avoid blindsiding your boss. They’ll also appreciate your candor. Hurt says it’s much better for your boss to hear the bad news from you first — not to hear it from a client, social media or their director. She adds that when you can disclose bad news early, you can often build a more trusting relationship.

Accountability. When you don’t get the outcome you planned or something goes awry, take ownership of the situation. You should take accountability even if it wasn’t completely your fault, Hurt says. She suggests saying something like, “Really, I should have been much closer to this project” or “I know how important this client is, and I want to do everything I can to make it right.”

Response. The next step is to share your solution to fix the problem. If you have already taken steps to resolve the issue, tell your boss. For example, you might say, “I’ve called the client to let them know the products will be late” or “I’m monitoring social media in case the client goes to Facebook with this.”

Next steps. Finally, be sure to explain your plan and what you need next. This is where you really shine when giving your boss bad news, Hurt says. Before you approach your boss, make sure you have a plan. Know what you can do differently in the future to avoid the mistake again. Some issues are unforeseeable, like shipment delays due to weather, but other problems can be prevented. Outline how you can keep things moving as smoothly as possible.

If you find yourself needing to deliver bad news to your boss, keep the above guidance in mind. By following the D.A.R.N. method, you can communicate difficult circumstances professionally while potentially strengthening your relationship with your boss. Bad news is never easy to deliver, but when done appropriately, you can rise from the situation without tarnishing your reputation.

Source: Karin Hurt is the CEO of Let’s Grow Leaders. She’s an experienced executive, speaker and writer, and a former Fortune 15 executive.