Knowing what not to say, say

TACT

Think of the skill that helps you navigate sensitive conversations without causing offense—it’s not about speaking more, but choosing words wisely.

This clue plays on the idea of tact being about choosing words carefully—specifically, knowing when to hold back. The phrasing "what not to say, say" is a clever twist: it hints at the word "tact" by describing its meaning while also sounding like a command to speak ("say") about restraint. The answer fits because tact is all about diplomacy, or saying the right thing by sometimes leaving things unsaid. It’s a concise definition wrapped in a bit of wordplay.