You can be direct and still be kind. You can speak clearly and unambiguously and still be kind. You just need to treat the person you're speaking to as human, and consider the reaction they'll have to the way you present the information.

I'd certainly agree that you shouldn't "string people along". That's not kindness. And sometimes you have to deliver news that people will find upsetting. That's a more critical time to apply empathy, not less.