Success in Diplomacy Jim Patterson

According to many diplomat, domestic and international, these are fundamental, necessary attributes for diplomats:

Diplomats must be patriots. They must comprehend their country at a deeper level than those reflecting simply prolonged legal residence in a country. This includes a knowledge of history, culture, and students of their country. Diplomats must be lawyers, or legally minded, highly technology-savvy and something  akin to salespeople.  (Sales people in the sense of being knowledgeable about your product: The United States of America.) Above all, diplomats must reflect the full ethnic diversity and geographic variety of our nation.

Diplomats must communicate well. They must be able to analyze issues accurately and quickly and state their conclusions persuasively. They must also be good listeners.

Diplomat must be practical. Insight and commonsense are needed. They must have  a sense of what the near and further consequences of an event might be for U.S. interests, and make clear, practical recommendations for action. They must see situations as linked events which to a less expert observer would appear unconnected.

Diplomat should be well balanced in a variety of skills, including confidence, communication, assertiveness, media trained and friendly, and with an ability to "think on their feet." They should have enough self-esteem to assert themselves but also-when necessary- be able to harmoniously subordinate their egos. (This was difficult for me as I had worked in politics and held elected office for nearly ten year prior to entering the Foreign Service. It is my strong believe political experience is excellent training for diplomatic situations that go political.)

Diplomat must be open, curious, and accessible to a range of issues, experiences, and cultures that far exceed what is normally encountered in the U.S.   As the U.S. has become a more multicultural society, students are taught openness, curiosity, accessibility and the rest through school and community programs. To sum this point, diplomats must be lifelong learners.

Finally, diplomats must be visionary and inventive. They must be able to devise creative solutions and apply skills of conflict resolution, development administration, economic aid, and social science. Finally, they must have the capacity, physical and mental, to work in difficult situations, just as protest situations, hostile media reporting, anti-Americanism, etc. (It was also said of me I was resourceful.).

Diplomatic skills

Foremost in a diplomat's mid is achievement of U.S. goals. In order to achieve those goals, most diplomats cite the following skills:

Good leaders and managers. Diplomats must be able to resolve conflict, promote constructive change and maximize use of limited resources.

Diplomats need a working knowledge of economics and international trade. All Foreign Service candidates must have completed college-level courses in macro- and micro-economics and international trade.

Diplomats should become more expert in the new multilateral and bilateral issues and techniques that affect national development. Greater attention to environmental and scientific issues, human rights, development administration, negotiation, analytical and technology skills, across several platforms.

Finally, diplomats need stronger language and area studies. Attainment of high level language skills is vital to accomplish objectives and better manage foreign personnel.

Random notes on Foreign Service success.