How to Be Tactful When Speaking

Being tactful promotes meaningful conversation.

Communication is the process by which people interact and exchange information. It is a medium of expressing your feelings and thoughts. As you convey a message, think also of the delivery. Manners are important when communicating with another person. While honesty is the best policy, it is also important to take other people's feelings into account . Awareness and sensitivity encourage the other person to absorb the information faster and respond with constructive feedback. Speaking tactfully helps to create and maintain mature interpersonal relationships, whether professional or personal.

Instructions

1. Follow the "Rights." Conversing tactfully requires the right person, topic, time and setting. The recipient of a message at midnight on a dark street understands it differently than when hearing it in the morning in the office. Effective communication occurs when the message sent and interpreted matches the intent of the sender, Barbra Kozier notes in "Fundamentals of Nursing."

2. State the purpose. Stating the objective of the conversation prevents confusion and misunderstanding, and gives direction to the dialogue. A message that is direct and simple will be most effective. It also suggests that the sender is conscious of what the receiver needs to know.

3. Know the culture. Every culture has a different norm in terms of communicating. It is the responsibility of the speaker to know the customs of his audience. An action or word that's acceptable in one culture may be offensive in another. Sheila Videbeck, in "Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing," states that eye contact, while positive in Western cultures, may offend Native Americans or Asians. People from these backgrounds may avoid looking strangers in the eye while talking to them.

4. Pay attention to body language, including gestures, movements and facial expressions. When talking to someone, a person's gesture and facial reaction can affect the message. Hand gestures may emphasize gravity, while a smile can indicate good news. Express tact physically by maintaining good posture and a neutral facial appearance while facing the person you are speaking to.

5. Give respect, no matter what the age, gender, position or culture of your conversation partner. It's important to introduce and address the other party properly and allow him sufficient space and time to reply.

References

• "Fundamentals of Nursing: Concepts, Process and Practice"; Barbara Kozier, et al.; 2004
• "Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing"; Sheila L. Videbeck; 2008.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish