Posted on Jan 12, 2017
How does one get more tact? Are you born with it, or is it learned/developed?
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So the jist of it is I'm a very blunt person. Some people on here know me personally and I am not afraid to speak my mind. I can hold my tongue sometimes but previously, I have gain the disliking of my NCO Support Channel and Chain of Command because of what my NCOs say about me. I'd like to know how one gets more tact. I can give certain examples if needed
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Military bearing
Military bearing
Posted >1 y ago
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SGT(P) (Join to see) it comes down to respect. If you respect the rank or others you will tell the truth in a respectful manner. There is a time and place as well. If there is no time keep your mouth shut. If there is time and in a setting where it is appropriate you can express yourself by addressing the person by their rank in a respective tone. You then state I believe or I feel. You keep level tone regardless if they do not. They still outrank you. Same if you are peers or they are subordinate to you. However, there is no real way to respectfully say that you think that they are useless and do not deserve to serve in uniform. You may want to bite your tongue on that one.
As far as how to become more tactful? Practice practice practice.
As far as how to become more tactful? Practice practice practice.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
Disregard that previous comment. Posted accidentally. Roger that, Sir. I show respect in normal activities and daily duties to whoever is wearing the uniform. My particular search for advice is correcting someone, mainly higher ranking. For example, they have their hands in their pockets. A 2LT was walking around with hands in pockets and I didn't correct him as I didn't quite know what to say without being a dick or perceived as disrespectful. Normally I would say something aloud along the lines of "did they change the regulation that allowed hands in pockets?" That's how I would usually go about it
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LTC (Join to see)
SGT(P) (Join to see) - if you feel uncomfortable correcting a superior you can ask another person to correct them. SGMs love that stuff! Secretly I think they love it even more if it is a 2LT.
In all seriousness you could approach them and say something like "Sir, we both know having your hands in your pockets is against the regulation. It sets a bad example those who you supervise. I am trying to instill the Army Value in my Soldiers and teach them to follow regulations could you assist me with by setting a good example?" While they may give you some flack you do have regulations on your side.
In all seriousness you could approach them and say something like "Sir, we both know having your hands in your pockets is against the regulation. It sets a bad example those who you supervise. I am trying to instill the Army Value in my Soldiers and teach them to follow regulations could you assist me with by setting a good example?" While they may give you some flack you do have regulations on your side.
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I like LTC (Join to see) 's answer. It is mutual respect. A personal technique is to imagine being the person you're talking to before you open your mouth. Step in their shoes, recognize they may have had a fight with their spouse, or their child was sick, or traffic was bad. There are always things you don't know about the person you're talking to, so one way to gain tact is to practice listening, to gain the inside scoop on the person you're talking to. It will help you get what you want done, and they may even help you do it.
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It is not hard. I know everyone wants to be known as the hard ass, who doesn't pull any punches and just rubs everyone the wrong way with their straightforward talk. If a PVT walked up to you and said "Hey SPC, your hands cold....you in the Air Force" or some other wise comment, sounding like a dick (your example), I am sure you wouldn't just say "Roger PVT" and move out. There is a time and place for everything. Pull that young 2LT to the side and let him know that as a leader, young Soldiers will mimic him and if he walks around with his hands in his pockets, the Soldiers will as well. Like others have stated, merely quoting the reg and informing them of their deficiency is enough for it to stop. Also, I don't mean this wrong but you're just a SPC and you will end up on the wrong end of a lot of conversations or worse. Take a quick a breath before speaking and like it was said practice, practice, and more practice.
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