Discretion vs. Tact — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 22, 2024
Discretion involves careful judgment in private matters, focusing on confidentiality and choice; tact deals with sensitivity in communication, avoiding offense.
Difference Between Discretion and Tact
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Discretion is the ability to make decisions or take actions in a way that avoids causing embarrassment or attracting too much attention, especially in delicate situations. On the other hand, tact refers to the skill of saying the right thing at the right time to avoid upsetting someone.
Individuals exercising discretion are often deciding when and how to share private information, considering the potential consequences. Whereas tact involves the choice of words and actions in interpersonal interactions to maintain harmony and respect.
Discretion can often mean keeping information private or choosing not to act, reflecting a person's judgment about confidentiality or propriety in specific scenarios. Tact, conversely, is about the manner of expression and the thoughtful handling of delicate matters without causing offense.
The use of discretion is critical in professional settings such as law, medicine, or business, where confidentiality is paramount. On the other hand, tact is essential in diplomacy, customer service, and everyday social interactions, where effective communication can defuse tensions.
Discretion involves the consideration of whether to share or withhold information, while tact is concerned with how information is communicated. Both require sensitivity and care, but they apply these principles in different contexts.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information.
The ability to speak or act without offending.
Primary Focus
Judgment and confidentiality in actions or decisions.
Sensitivity and appropriateness in communication.
Key Considerations
Timing and necessity of information disclosure.
Choice of words and timing in communication.
Application Context
Often used in professional or strategic scenarios requiring confidentiality.
Commonly applied in social interactions and diplomacy.
Outcome Goal
To protect privacy or propriety.
To maintain social harmony and respect.
Compare with Definitions
Discretion
Keeping private information secret.
Her discretion is trusted by all her clients.
Tact
Diplomacy in handling affairs that might otherwise cause distress.
His tact was evident when he smoothed over the disagreement.
Discretion
The freedom to decide what should be done in a particular case.
He had the discretion to change the procedure as deemed necessary.
Tact
Ability to do or say things without offending.
She has the tact to not ask intrusive questions.
Discretion
Care in what one says or does to avoid causing offense.
She exercised discretion during the negotiations.
Tact
The skill and sensitivity in dealing with others or with difficult issues.
Her tact during the meeting prevented any conflict.
Discretion
Choosing to act or not based on privacy or propriety.
His discretion in handling the sensitive documents preserved client confidentiality.
Tact
Acuteness of sensitivity in dealing with others or with difficult issues.
He handled the client's complaint with tact.
Discretion
The ability to judge what should be done in a particular situation.
She showed great discretion when she decided not to share the news in a public setting.
Tact
Careful handling of delicate situations.
He showed great tact in how he addressed the sensitive topics.
Discretion
Discretion has the meaning of acting on one's own authority and judgment. In law, discretion as to legal rulings, such as whether evidence is excluded at a trial, may be exercised by a judge.
Tact
Acute sensitivity to what is proper and appropriate in dealing with others, including the ability to speak or act without offending.
Discretion
The quality of being discreet; circumspection
"the almost unknown young man who lived in the upper room ... coming and going with discretion" (Doris Lessing).
Tact
The sense of touch; feeling.
Discretion
Freedom to act or judge on one's own
All the decisions were left to our discretion.
Tact
(music) The stroke in beating time.
Discretion
(Archaic) The ability or power to discern what is responsible or socially appropriate
"She had even condescended to advise him to marry as soon as he could, provided he chose with discretion" (Jane Austen).
Tact
Sensitive mental touch; special skill or faculty; keen perception or discernment; ready power of appreciating and doing what is required by circumstances; the ability to say the right thing.
By the use of tact, she was able to calm her jealous husband.
I used tact when I told my fat uncle that his extra weight made him look better.
Discretion
Individual justice from experience in quality of perception: discrete.
The police came and searched us at their discretion because we were shouting at each other's faces.
Tact
(slang) tactic
Discretion
The quality of being discreet.
Bob showed great discretion despite his knowledge of the affair.
Tact
(psychology) A verbal operant which is controlled by a nonverbal stimulus (such as an object, event, or property of an object) and is maintained by nonspecific social reinforcement (praise).
Discretion
The ability to make wise choices or decisions.
Tact
Propriety; manners (etiquette).
Discretion
The freedom to make one's own judgements.
I leave that to your discretion.
Tact
(psychology) To use a tact (a kind of verbal operant; see noun sense).
Discretion
Disjunction; separation.
Tact
The sense of touch; feeling.
Did you suppose that I could not make myself sensible to tact as well as sight?
Now, sight is a very refined tact.
Discretion
The quality of being discreet; wise conduct and management; cautious discernment, especially as to matters of propriety and self-control; prudence; circumspection; wariness.
The better part of valor is discretion.
The greatest parts without discretion may be fatal to their owner.
Tact
The stroke in beating time.
Discretion
Discrimination.
Well spoken, with good accent and good discretion.
Tact
Consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offence
Discretion
Freedom to act according to one's own judgment; unrestrained exercise of choice or will.
Discretion
Freedom to act or judge on one's own
Discretion
Knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress;
The servants showed great tact and discretion
Discretion
Refined taste; tact
Discretion
The power of making free choices unconstrained by external agencies
Discretion
The trait of judging wisely and objectively;
A man of discernment
Common Curiosities
What are the consequences of lacking discretion?
Lacking discretion can lead to breaches of confidentiality, loss of trust, and potential legal issues.
What is tact?
Tact is the skill of communicating sensitively, ensuring not to offend or upset others.
Can you give an example of discretion in a workplace?
Choosing not to share sensitive personal information about a colleague demonstrates discretion.
What is discretion?
Discretion is the ability to judge when and how to act or speak in a way that avoids causing upset, particularly where privacy is concerned.
In what situations is tact more important than discretion?
Tact is more important in situations requiring careful communication, such as in diplomacy or conflict resolution.
How is tact important in customer service?
Tact is crucial in customer service as it involves addressing customer complaints in a manner that is considerate and respectful.
How do discretion and tact differ in communication?
Discretion often involves silence or withholding information, while tact focuses on how to communicate appropriately.
What happens if someone lacks tact?
Without tact, social interactions can become awkward or offensive, potentially damaging relationships.
Are there professions where discretion is more important than tact?
In professions dealing with sensitive information, such as law or healthcare, discretion is typically more important than tact.
How can tact be beneficial in negotiations?
Tact can help in negotiations by facilitating communication that is respectful and considerate, potentially leading to better outcomes.
Why is discretion important in professional settings?
In professional settings, discretion is key to maintaining confidentiality and trust, particularly in legal and health sectors.
Can discretion be learned?
Yes, discretion can be developed through experience, awareness of the consequences of one's actions, and understanding the importance of confidentiality.
Is discretion always about not sharing information?
Not always; discretion can also involve deciding when it is appropriate to share information in a careful and considered way.
How can both discretion and tact be applied in everyday life?
Both can be applied by carefully considering how one's actions and words might affect others and choosing the best approach to maintain relationships and respect.
How does one develop better tact?
Developing better tact involves learning from social interactions, being aware of others' feelings, and adjusting communication accordingly.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
