You know that time when you were talking to that person and you were thinking one thing, but saying something completely different? What does this have to do with developing skills... tact.
Being tactful is important in our world. Can you imagine what things would be like if people said what is on their mind without that mental editing process? Well, maybe you can. Ricky Gervais is coming out with that movie of the first person that tells a lie. Which brings up the point that some people think the filtering process is lying.
Is it lying? YES! I just don't see a lie as a problem unless you are harming someone. People who are very good at filtering are also the kind of people who seem to be really on their game. And why? Well, it could be a number of reasons. I like to think it is a combination of experience and that they are good at multi-tasking. When you think about the process of being tactful, you realize that you are noticing your reactions, reading the situation and responding in the best way possible.
As an example, I've been getting contacted by insurance sales people recently. I'm a nice guy, but not so nice that I won't blow-off sales people. (Sorry guys!) I'm not the kind of person who will yell on the phone or just hang up. I'll say "I'm not interested" or something similar. I may want to talk to these people in the next few years, but I'm not about to stand there and listen to the full pitch. But mostly... I just don't like being sold to. Yet I still take the time because I don't want to burn that bridge... yet.
I'm interesting in what you think about your mental filter. Add a story or two if you like.
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