The skills you need guide to interpersonal skills

Generally, dishonesty and insincerity can be recognised by others and can affect 
your relationships negatively. However, there are occasions when not being 
totally honest can aid social interactions.

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51
2.
ADVANCED COMMUNICATION SKILLS
FAUX PAS AND HUMOUR
A ‘faux pas’ (from French meaning ‘false step’) is usually an accidental, or 
unintentional, breach of socially accepted norms, manners or etiquette. As a faux 
pas is unintentional, and not a deliberate act of rudeness, it is often considered 
amusing, especially to an observer, although it can be very embarrassing for the 
person or people involved.
For these reasons, faux pas are used frequently in comedy. Such situations can make 
the audience cringe, empathise with and ultimately laugh at the characters being 
portrayed. The more in tune you are with the rules of etiquette, the more likely you 
are to react to the embarrassment caused to others in such situations. Conversely, 
if you lack knowledge or experience of socially acceptable behaviour, you are 
less likely to get the joke. This can be particularly true across different cultures or 
demographics and is why comedy does not always translate or travel well.
The relationship between comedy and faux pas helps to demonstrate the 
importance many people put on acceptable social interactions, in a wide 
variety of settings.

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52
2.
ADVANCED COMMUNICATION SKILLS
TACT AND DIPLOMACY
Tact and diplomacy are methods used to aid effective communication, especially 
during negotiation and when attempting to be persuasive or assertive. Using tact 
and diplomacy appropriately can lead to improved relationships with other people 
and are a way to build and develop mutual respect, which in turn can lead to more 
successful outcomes and less difficult or stressful communications.
Tact and diplomacy are skills centred around an understanding of other 
people and being sensitive to their opinions, beliefs, ideas and feelings.
Effective use of such skills comes from being able to sense accurately what 
another person is feeling or thinking at any given time and then responding 
in such a way as to avoid bad feelings or awkwardness, whilst at the same 
time asserting or reflecting your own ideas and feelings back in a delicate 
and well-meaning fashion.
All people and all communication situations are unique. Developing effective 
tact and diplomacy skills requires practice and good judgement. These skills 
are not limited to use in formal communications, such as in the workplace: 
tact and diplomacy are also important when developing and maintaining 
friendships, romantic relationships and relationships in the family.
In interpersonal relationships, the words tact and diplomacy are used 
interchangeably and have broadly the same meaning.
DEFINING TACT AND DIPLOMACY
The ability to assert your ideas or opinions, knowing what to say and 
how to say it without damaging the relationship by causing offence.
“TACT IS THE ART OF MAKING A POINT 
WITHOUT MAKING AN ENEMY.”
Isaac Newton
“DIPLOMACY IS THE ART OF LETTING 
SOMEBODY ELSE HAVE YOUR WAY.”
David Frost

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53
2.
ADVANCED COMMUNICATION SKILLS
PREREQUISITES FOR SUCCESSFUL TACT 
AND DIPLOMACY
As well as a level of common sense, good judgement and practice in various 
situations, the effective use of tact and diplomacy relies on some other key 
skills, including:
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