The Art Of Diplomacy: Letting Others Have Your Way | Cory Leonard | TEDxLehi

Summary

In this engaging talk, the speaker shares insights from their journey in diplomacy, beginning with a childhood newspaper project. They explore the evolution of diplomacy, emphasizing three key skills: historical understanding, cultural mastery, and relationship-building. Through anecdotes, the speaker illustrates how diplomats navigate complex international negotiations, emphasizing the importance of history, culture, and personal connections. The speaker also highlights the role of conflict in diplomacy, providing real-world examples of how diplomats reframe problems and build consensus to achieve solutions. Ultimately, the speaker underscores that mastering these skills is crucial for effective diplomacy and negotiation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Diplomacy is an evolving skill, not just about wearing elegant clothing or attending formal events, but about understanding history, culture, and people.
• 😀 The art of diplomacy was first learned through the speaker’s childhood experience of creating a neighborhood newspaper, demonstrating curiosity and interest in understanding different perspectives.
• 😀 Diplomats are often historical thinkers, using the lessons of the past to approach current situations with perspective and critical insights.
• 😀 Historical simulations, such as those focused on events like the Cuban Missile Crisis, help students understand the complexities of diplomacy and decision-making in high-stakes situations.
• 😀 Cultural understanding is a critical skill in diplomacy, as it enables diplomats to communicate and negotiate effectively with people from different backgrounds and countries.
• 😀 Language is an essential tool in diplomacy, as shown by the challenges diplomats face when navigating cultural and linguistic differences, like the word 'recognize' in the Shanghai Communique.
• 😀 Diplomats are experts in relationship-building, using techniques to understand and manage complex interactions with others, especially during tense negotiations.
• 😀 Persuasion in diplomacy isn’t about forcing others to adopt your views, but rather finding common ground and creating new shared understandings.
• 😀 Diplomats often reframe problems to find solutions, as seen in the example of an ambassador who navigated a tricky vote by using an arcane rule to find a compromise.
• 😀 Conflict is an inevitable part of diplomacy, but successful diplomats embrace it, recognizing that it can be a powerful tool for negotiating and reaching agreements.
• 😀 Mastering diplomacy requires a combination of historical knowledge, cultural insight, and the ability to navigate complex human relationships, ultimately allowing diplomats to achieve their goals.

Q & A

Why did the speaker start a newspaper at the age of nine?

The speaker was curious about the world and wanted to learn different perspectives from neighbors. It was also fun for them to get the neighborhood involved in something they were interested in.

What are the three key skills diplomats must master according to the speaker?

The three key skills are understanding history, mastering cultural nuances, and being great with people (people skills).

How does historical understanding benefit diplomats?

Historical understanding helps diplomats gain perspective and approach problems with long-term insight. It also allows them to ask critical questions and make informed decisions, especially in negotiations.

What is meant by 'thinking in the context of time'?

'Thinking in the context of time' means understanding the historical epoch or cultural period and recognizing how past events shape current issues. It helps diplomats make better decisions in complex situations.

How do cultural nuances play a role in diplomacy?

Diplomats need to understand cultural differences, such as language, customs, and beliefs, to avoid misunderstandings and foster positive relationships. The speaker gives the example of the Shanghai Communique, where language differences were key to a successful negotiation.

Why is the Shanghai Communique a significant example in diplomacy?

The Shanghai Communique is significant because it exemplifies how understanding cultural and linguistic nuances can resolve diplomatic deadlocks. A key challenge in this negotiation was the different meanings of the word 'recognize' in English and Chinese.

What advice does the speaker give to students in diplomatic situations?

The speaker advises students to start negotiations by asking others for their opinions first, instead of immediately stating their own position. This approach helps lower the other party's guard and creates opportunities for understanding their perspective.

How does diplomacy relate to people skills?

Diplomats must be adept at building relationships and managing conflicts. People skills help diplomats engage effectively, listen to others' viewpoints, and reframe problems to find cooperative solutions.

What is the role of conflict in diplomacy?

Conflict is seen as a tool in diplomacy. Diplomats are trained to navigate and even embrace conflict, using it strategically to reach solutions and avoid deadlocks. The speaker compares this to negotiating prices in markets, where conflict is part of the process.

How do diplomats handle difficult situations or people in negotiations?

Diplomats use various tactics to manage difficult situations, such as reframing the problem and finding alternative solutions. An example given was a Central European ambassador who found a third way to resolve a conflict, balancing the interests of his government and the negotiation process.