What is tact? The ability to deal with others without offending, giving feedback without creating conflict, a keen sense for what is appropriate, this is the skill of tactfulness. If you see the value of being tactful the following suggestions will help.

Think before you speak. It is not what you say but how you say it.

Use Active Listening, be in touch with your audience, "seek first to understand, then be understood", by listening you are demonstrating respect.

Keep your Thoughts Positive, be helpful, keep your attitude friendly, if you do this even the most direct comments and feedback are projected in a constructive manner.

You can disagree without being Disagreeable. Keep the situation and relationship in perspective. Don't sweat the small stuff, and it is all small stuff.

Defuse explosive emotions by keeping yours in check. This requires that you know yourself and take responsibility for your actions and words.

Resolve conflict; do not add fuel to the fire. Recognize difficult people and apply the appropriate skills.

Understand the impact of non-verbal communication and be aware of clues from your audience.

Be confident and use effective diplomacy. This is the ability to achieve one's own ends yet avoid any unpleasantness or opposition.

Communicating with tact, diplomacy, poise and finesse improves your ability to work with other people. You can't control others and though this may be frustrating focus on what is controllable, YOU.

How to Communicate With Tact & Professionalism
 
 
Successfully navigating through the business world requires a commitment to excellence and effective communication skills. Learning how to express your views with tact and professionalism can help you negotiate deals and solve problems. Although adjusting to business communication can be difficult, it's possible with a consistent effort and willingness to adapt your style to meet important objectives.

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions

1. Determine your objective before diving into communication. Tactful communication requires you to understand your message before attempting to express it to others. Establishing your overall goals helps ensure your communication is concise and appropriate. Avoid veering into side conversations and adding non-essential information. Preparing also helps alleviate nervousness and leads to greater focus when stating your views.

2. Consider your relationship to the audience.

This helps you create messages that won't be considered offensive or disrespectful. Keep your professional status in mind whether communicating with clients, subordinates or superiors. Always anticipate audience reaction to your message before making statements or sending written correspondence. Consider asking for a second opinion from a trusted colleague before delivering messages to check the overall tone. This helps ensure your message can't be mistaken as being arrogant or condescending.

3. Refrain from hurling insults or sinking to juvenile behavior.

Although it can seem like second nature to "fight fire with fire," resulting to these tactics can have negative consequences. Understand that your colleagues and clients are continually assessing your actions. Communicating with tact and professionalism requires you to rise above petty name-calling even when you feel provoked to do so.

4. Use appropriate terminology to demonstrate your professionalism and competence.

Although your speech shouldn't sound robotic or overly technical, neither should it be filled with slang or improper grammar. This applies even when you're familiar with your audience. Keeping your business relationship separate from personal dealings is essential to maintaining a professional demeanor.

5. Stay in control of your body language.

Your audience will evaluate your message and intentions based on your posturing as well as your actual word choice. Even the most tactfully written statement can repel an audience if you deliver it with a scowl. This applies even when your audience can't see you as your attitude can be recognized through your tone of voice over the phone.

Effective and Diplomatic Communication Skills
for Managers and Supervisors

Skills of Effective Leaders Importance of thinking quickly on your feet and communicating effectively
Identify and eliminate communication snags
Being Honest and sincere without fear
Insure instructions and expectations are clear and understood
Understand the behaviors and feeling of others  them to “get” your message
Responding to questions, even when you don’t know the answer

Techniques for handling disagreements
What’s your credibility quotient? Gain and maintain respect with these strategies
How to capture your listener’s attention and get your point across—even when they’re resistant, upset or angry

Excuses, excuses—how they can torpedo your reputation and career
How showing others how to please you will make your life easier
Don’t shoot the messenger! Diplomatic ways to say “No,” deliver bad news and give helpful feedback
Phone vs. face-to-face communication—important differences you must be aware of
No more “foot-in-mouth” disease—how to avoid saying things you’ll regret
The secrets to getting the information you want-

How skillful listening will bring you great power
What are the filters you listen through?
How to get the information you need … more quickly
Tips on understanding and communicating effectively with different personality types
Listening between the lines—identifying the hidden agendas and false signals that lead to misunderstandings
And your point is … ? How to get a “rambler” to cut to the chase
7 body language signs to watch for—and what they mean
From angry to agreeable: The 4 steps for handling complaints masterfully
When you’re the target—how to handle criticism, barbs and wisecracks
The dangers of saying too much … how to know when to keep your mouth shut
He said/she said … it pays to understand how gender-oriented communication styles differ
Managing Conflicts and Reducing Communication problems
Where do most problems come from?
How being unconditionally constructive is the key to your success
The 5 most powerful words in the English language
All we want is a little respect … ways to encourage this all-important practice
Sure-fire ways to prevent or reduce defensive behavior

The 4 types of questions … how to know which to use to get the information you need
How to deal with hotheads, bad-mouthers, habitual fault-finders and other morale busters
Handling other people’s conflicts without getting caught in the crossfire
Putting it on paper—writing skills that will see you through touchy situations

The do’s and don’ts of documentation … these guidelines could save your hide!
When things get out of hand—techniques for defusing tense or explosive situations
“We’re in this together” … how to turn tough cases into team players
Getting to win-win solutions—there’s no reason to have any “losers” in your company anymore
Getting people to buy into your ideas
The secret to projecting an aura of confidence and power
Being a person of your word … how cultivating that reputation gives you great power
Negotiation strategies for getting agreement without giving in
How to make it easy for a person to change his or her mind
When there’s no budging them—how to formulate a Plan B

Master the sound bite: How to package concepts and information into memorable nuggets