Interpersonal Communication - Essay Example

Significance of the Topic Tact is a significant topic. Tact is defined as saying the right words at the right time and at the right place. Tact reduces conflicts among individuals or groups. Tact incorporates the social context of each messaging process (Ackerson 5). By saying the right words, harmony and camaraderie permeates the environment. Further, tact-based interpersonal communication is a critically important aspect of every situation. People communicate with one another during certain times of the day.

Some communicate with fellow workplace employees. Teachers communicate with their students. Siblings communicate with one other. Local government officials communicate with their constituents. Furthermore, tact-based internal communication is essential during unfavorable situations. Jennifer Lopez, American Idol judge, often used tact. In one social occasion, Lopez tactfully informed one of her favorite contestants that she was eliminated from the American singing contest. Jennifer Lopez used tact-based empathic words to diffuse the hurt felt by the losing contestant of the television broadcast.

The broadcast is the popular American Idol show. Jennifer Lopez showed compassion for the losing contestant. Lopez was crying when she tactfully delivered the heart-breaking news to Jennifer’s favorite contestant. Tact-based interpersonal communication is a complex challenging activity (Solomon 4). . Interpersonal communication involves the personal qualities of the communicating individuals or groups (Solomon 5). Factors that Make the Topic Unique The tact interpersonal communication topic is unique.

Tact is only one of the factors that contribute to improved interpersonal communication. Tact involves taking into consideration how the listeners, readers, audiences and other receivers of the communication will feel when they receive the message. For example, the store’s sales representative offers to treat the customers a free lunch to prevent the customers from being angry at the delayed delivery of their ordered products. After the free lunch, the sales person slowly and tactfully explains that there will be a slight delay in the delivery of the customers’ ordered products.

By paying for the customers’ lunch, the customer’s disgust is reduced or even eliminated. Cicero, the famous philosopher, affirms tact is necessary part of rhetoric. Rhetoric is preparation and conducting of speech (Hunter 16). Tact is unique to the communication process (Hunter 16). When job superiors issue work orders or policies, the superiors must take into consideration the culture of the diverse employees. The Mexican employee brings one’s Mexican culture into the workplace. Learning some Spanish words will create tact-based interpersonal communication between the Caucasian supervisor and the newly hired Mexican immigrant worker, making the Mexican employee like the supervisor.

Similarly, the Caucasian manager must take into consideration the Chinese employee’s religious culture when engaging in workplace interpersonal communication. Most Chinese are faithful to their Chinese religion. For example, the workplace manager should not force the