When a healthcare worker tells a client they are wearing too much cologne, which personal trait should be improved?

The situation described involves a healthcare worker communicating feedback to a client about their cologne usage, which suggests that the worker's delivery may lack sensitivity or diplomacy. Tact is the ability to say the right thing at the right time and in a way that is considerate of others' feelings. In this case, a more tactful approach would involve expressing the concern without making the client feel embarrassed or self-conscious about their choice of fragrance.

Improving tact would help the healthcare worker communicate more effectively by choosing words carefully, thereby maintaining a positive relationship with the client and ensuring the message is received in a constructive manner. In contrast, the other traits listed—confidence, compassion, and patience—while important in healthcare, do not directly address the need for sensitivity in interpersonal communication that tact implies. Thus, focusing on enhancing tact is essential for fostering effective communication and ensuring that patients feel respected and understood.