"Tact is the ability to tell someone to go to hell in such a way that they look forward to the trip." ~ Winston Churchill, among his alcoholic ramblings (just kidding, that's not true).
Exceptional application of tact to a situation is quite nearly magic. The phrasing of your incantation could abruptly devolve a conversation to fisticuffs, or it could convince the other person to give you the shirt off their back, and be glad for the opportunity. Okay, that might be a bit much, but tact can, and often does, make all the difference when it comes to getting what you're aiming for. You'll reduce the defensiveness of others, improve the likelihood of them considering your ideas, and increase the chances of people going out of their way to help you.
When you're having a conversation (written or verbal), aside from being kind and ensuring your tone is appropriate, there are a few things that can help you shift conversations in a positive direction, and help you and your team be as