Which is worse in your opinion: tact without honesty or honesty without tact?
2 Replies to “Tact vs. Honesty”
Give me honesty over tact any day. When someone is honest, you know where you stand, and even if it hurts deeply at the time, you will (with some thought, forgiveness and probably some help from your friends) recover. But tact without honesty ends up in confusion, mistrust, and not being able to move forward.
However … tact, and some very careful alluding to the other party’s best interests, are always advisable when dealing with government departments and others who hold a great deal of power over you! Holding one’s tongue does have its place!
Give me honesty over tact any day. When someone is honest, you know where you stand, and even if it hurts deeply at the time, you will (with some thought, forgiveness and probably some help from your friends) recover. But tact without honesty ends up in confusion, mistrust, and not being able to move forward.
However … tact, and some very careful alluding to the other party’s best interests, are always advisable when dealing with government departments and others who hold a great deal of power over you! Holding one’s tongue does have its place!
Well put!