tactfulness

[ takt-fuhl-nis ]

noun

1. the quality or skill of handling difficult or delicate situations without giving offense:

   Her promotion was based on her influence and tactfulness in dealing with outside vendors, managers, and subordinates.

   Showing what some would consider a certain lack of tactfulness, he declared that the emperor's pious works were of no value whatsoever.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tactfulness¹

tactful ( def ) + -ness ( def )

Example Sentences

Or is keeping mum about sexual yearning for another person just basic kindness, or tactfulness, or good manners?

From Salon

Above all, the key to referral success on both sides involves tactfulness depending on the situation, using your judgment and of course, the quality relationship of both the referrer and candidate. 

From US News

The latter would have clapped his shoulder, but he avoided the effusive greeting with a certain quiet tactfulness which was usual with him.

From Project Gutenberg

Fisher, in turn, sounds as if he may want to push past the usual tactfulness when he discusses Stern, a forceful personality in every facet of the job he has held since 1984.

From New York Times

The two girls showed their appreciation for his tactfulness in different ways.

From Project Gutenberg