Diplomacy is the art of strategic communication, tact and mutual respect, fostered by empathy and foresight. It is the key to international relations and the heart of negotiation—but it also plays an important role in everyday life, from navigating that one class where everyone seems to have an argument to managing difficult workplace relationships or delicate family matters.
The practice of diplomacy is often regarded as the most crucial to world peace. It conducts the passages from protest to menace, dialogue to negotiation, ultimatum to war, and peace and reconciliation with other states and their peoples. It is a means of achieving international goals such as peace, security, and cooperation in areas like trade, culture and science.
When governments use diplomacy, they send emissaries to other countries to represent their interests. The most famous diplomats are heads of state or other national leaders, but dozens of countries can be represented at the same time by professional diplomats and representatives from non-governmental organizations, such as environmental groups. Diplomats often attend large international conferences that address a range of issues, such as migration, trade and environmental development.
To be a good diplomat, you need to understand your counterpart’s motivations and perspectives. One of the most valuable skills is preparation. For example, Jimmy Carter prepared for his talks with Menachem Begin by studying CIA reports about him. This helped him craft messages that appealed to Begin’s interest in his grandchildren and pushed him toward a successful agreement.
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