If you want to make connections or create lasting business partnerships, you need to be tactful with people. As an experienced entrepreneur, Opeyemi Odeyale has come to fully understand the importance of remaining tactful in both a personal and professional situation. No one is perfect, but no one likes criticism either, so if you find fault with a friend or coworker, think twice before saying so, or you could hurt their feelings and sour your relationship with them. If you feel you must speak out, do so with tact and sensitivity, or seek another way around the problem. Opeyemi Odeyale’s five pointers will guide you through such situations, keeping your friendships and partnerships intact.

1. Support the positive

Try to bring out the best in your friends and acquaintances by encouraging and praising the good things they do, rather than commenting on their faults. If a friend is doing something you dislike, such as boasting, ignore them. Receiving no encouragement from you, they’ll soon drop the attitude, at which point you can return to your friendly manner. In sensitive situations, where criticism could seriously upset your friend, you’ll need to tread even more carefully. Show your understanding of any difficulties they face and praise them for any efforts they’ve made. Hint at alternative approaches they could consider rather than spelling out your criticism, unless you feel morally obliged to do so.

2. Hold your tongue

If you dislike something your friend is doing, it’s tempting to say so, but sometimes it’s better to keep your feelings to yourself. If your criticism concerns a superficial matter, such as their clothes or hairstyle, you could do more harm than good by even dropping a hint about it. Even if your disapproval concerns something more important, it may be better to keep your views to yourself and let them learn by their own mistakes, rather than cause upset or friction by speaking your mind. Remember, too, that sometimes people can’t help the things they do, such as if they have a disability or weakness of some kind.

3. Avoid pulling faces

Holding your tongue but pulling a face is counterproductive, often causing more offense than spoken criticism. Showing disapproval with your face while failing to speak your mind can also reflect badly on you, implying dishonesty or weakness. For these reasons, avoid rolling your eyes, raising your eyebrows, pulling your mouth down at the corners and all other silent insinuations of disdain. Bodily gestures of disagreement, such as shrugs, slouches and back-turning, are also best avoided. Save your dignity and your friendship by maintaining a neutral manner.

4. Present ideas rather than criticisms

If you think your friend or business partner is going about something the wrong way, suggest a

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Alternatives rather than giving orders. Offer helpful tips, presenting them with a casual air, rather than undermining your friend’s confidence with nags and instructions.

5. Help your ashamed friend save face

When someone realizes they’ve done something they shouldn’t, they usually feel badly about it, so the last thing they want is a rebuke. If your friend has got themselves in a hole by a misjudgement or oversight, give them space to get over their distress and regain their self-respect, rather than lecturing them on what they did wrong.

Even your closest friends and relatives may drive you mad at times, but your kind, empathetic responses will help them recognize and address their failings. Opeyemi Odeyale firmly believes that tactful manner will win you warm and lasting relationships. For more information or helpful business insight, check out Opeyemi Odeyale’s website or connect on LinkedIn.