Is being direct bad

Answer 1

It's not that being direct is "bad"-- there are times when it is actually quite helpful, and other times when it is going to make the situation worse. It also depends on what your position is-- if you are in a position of authority, you may have more opportunity for being direct. (And it should be noted that being direct does not necessarily mean being rude or being unkind. A good communicator can make the point clearly and forcefully, yet know when to use tact, and know how to state the point without insulting anyone.)

In business, team leaders sometimes have to be direct when there is a need to cut through the team's indecision or bickering, and get everyone focused on what needs to be done immediately. The leader doesn't need to yell or shout, but he or she does need to get everyone on the same page and get some action. On the other hand, if you are in a subordinate position, there are times when you may want to speak your mind and be direct; but you need to think about how to do so without getting your boss angry or getting yourself fired. And in a relationship, you may want to tell your significant other exactly what you feel (especially if you are upset about something), but think before you speak-- sometimes, being too direct will cause the other person pain. So, if you can present your feelings in a way that is honest but doesn't intentionally hurt the other person, that is often the best thing. To sum up, being direct depends on your situation. The key to successful communication is knowing when tact is what's called for, versus knowing when "telling it like it is" would be the best approach.