Communicating With Tact, Diplomacy and Professionalism

To be a tactful and successful communicator, it’s important to understand and cultivate top-notch communication skills. Without foundations, an individual may self-sabotage.

• Outline the traditional communication model
• Describe the elements of total communication
• Articulate key techniques for strengthening communication skills

Effective, tactful communication preserves relationships, builds credibility and demonstrates thoughtfulness.

• Identify diplomatic and tactful communication techniques and strategies
• Explain the benefits of diplomacy and tact
• Describe strategies to avoid common communication problems

Tactful communication — along with emotional intelligence, respect, thoughtfulness and compassion — are vital for credibility and success at work.

• Summarize the importance of interpersonal skills
• Explain strategies for building alliances
• Discuss what behaviors are needed to present credibility

Effective communication is more than speaking, it’s also listening and understanding the message.

• Explain the benefits of skillful listening
• Describe the attributes of a good listener
• Summarize keys to effective listening

Effective communicators are very aware of how others perceive their behaviors and are able to avoid misunderstanding a great deal of the time.

• Summarize the different personality styles and their characteristics
• Describe communication strategies suited to each of the personality styles
• Discuss how to work effectively with various personality styles

When a person lacks formal authority, influencing is vitally important to persuade or successfully negotiate with others.

• Summarize strategies for negotiating
• Identify persuasion techniques and tools
• Describe how to deal productively with objections and resistance

Meetings should be a forum in which decisions are made, consensus is reached and action is taken.

• Articulate methods to communicate, lead and participate effectively in meetings
• List communication obstacles in meetings
• Summarize strategies for responding to challenges, comments and questions

There are some conversations that require the utmost skill in diplomacy and finesse.

• Describe best-practice communication techniques to use in difficult conversations
• Express strategies to effectively handle disagreements or misunderstandings
• Articulate methods that help focus on getting a correct message

Conflict can occur in any organization when employees with diverse cultures, backgrounds, work values and priorities work together.

• Describe how to utilize a positive and constructive mindset
• Explain tactics to handle other people’s conflicts
• Identify ways to prevent or reduce defensive behavior