Tact = Gentleness

Rev. Bruce Goettsche of Union Church, offers some practical hints on becoming more gentle, to which he equates tactfulness.

1. pray that God will make you softer in time of conflict--lower your voice rather than raise it
2. no matter what the circumstance speak calmly
3. make eye contact
4. remember that most people you encounter are not trying to annoy you . . .they are "just trying to do their jobs"

Present these to your class and ask how they might work for developing tact? Based on their experience, what other suggestions can they make?

A post by Esther Cook recounted her story about her father’s lack of workplace tact and the consequences. Read and discuss with the class what she says: “My father lost a job because his criticisms of others were too devastating, and IBM thought the damage he did to others outweighed his own brilliance--and he developed integrated circuits that made IBM millions. IBM had signs all over saying, "THINK" but when he could really think, they fired him. Had IBM [taught tactfulness], my father would have learned Tact as a skill, stayed there--and suffered far less in his personal relationships all his life. IBM would be even richer than it is today. My father lost at least $200,000 income through not understanding tact. IBM lost millions.”

Challenge the class to think of examples where use of tact benefited others and not just the person who demonstrated it? E.g. Daniel’s use of tact benefited him (he was able to meet with the King—Dan. 2:14-16) and it benefited the other wise men (they were not slaughtered as the King had commanded—Dan 2:12).