It says in Mishlei: "The wisdom of a woman builds her home; and her wickedness destroys it." Often in shalom bayit, the direct approach can backfire. Using subtlety to finesse the situation, without diminishing your husband, is preferable.
We learn this from Ohn ben Peles's wife. Ohn was a key supporter of Korach, who led a rebellion against Moshe Rabbeinu (Moses). Ohn's wife knew it would backfire if she told her husband how dumb his decision to follow Korach was, so instead she got him drunk so that he passed out, and then she went outside her tent and brushed out her hair. When Korach and the others came to get her husband, they saw her and would not approach the tent (because her hair was uncovered). This way, she preserved her husband's dignity, and yet got the result she wanted. The next day, when G-d caused Korach & co. to get swallowed up by the earth, I'm sure Ohn thanked his wife profusely!
Practical tip: think creatively about what the best method of achieving your aims are.
Important Numbers
