Diplomacy, the specialized skill of communicating with other nations, has developed and diversified over thousands of years. It forms a fundamental aspect of international relations, supporting nations’ efforts to implement foreign policy interests and resolve conflicts. It also promotes trust, security, and cooperation in a number of fields, including economics, science, culture, and more.
Historically, diplomacy was largely a function of the state, and the highest-ranking ambassadors were often nobles who had little previous foreign experience. They were supported by a wide range of embassy staff, who were typically more knowledgeable about their host country than their higher-ranking counterparts. The need to staff embassies prompted universities to begin teaching foreign languages and promoting the study of political science, law, and history, paving the way for a more professional class of diplomats.
Great diplomats truly listen to their foreign counterparts, and they know when to raise specific points from their list of talking points. They never act like tenured, out-of-touch professors lecturing their counterparts, and they avoid overly official-sounding language. They keep their conversations comfortable and focused, while leaving the door open for future engagements.
In times of hostility, diplomats are sometimes withdrawn for their personal safety, and in other cases, they are recalled to show displeasure with the government of their host country. But in either case, the lower-level employees continue to do the work of diplomacy. This is what makes it a continuous, ongoing process. This is diplomacy at its finest.
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