Diplomacy is a set of skills that are mainly associated with embassies and international relations, but they can also be used in the workplace and in everyday life. Rather than talking bluntly to people, diplomats try to understand what makes them tick and how they react to different situations. They also learn about different cultures and adapt their style to suit the person they’re communicating with. This is a crucial part of diplomacy, especially in the workplace where many countries have their own unique culture. For example, British people tend to be polite and indirect, while South Africans are much more direct and straight talking.
While the word “diplomacy” is often associated with politics, the art of diplomacy is a skill that is important in any situation where you need to get others on your side. In the workplace, it can help you deal with difficult colleagues or clients and can improve your ability to influence others and achieve your objectives.
In the world of games, effective diplomacy is the difference between a good player and an average one. Those who master the art of diplomacy know when to talk and when not to talk, how to listen closely and respond with the right tone, and how to negotiate effectively.
They work all day and night, turning every meal, cocktail party, sporting event, sight-seeing trip and meeting into a valuable diplomatic engagement. They are able to take notes that are clear, useful and actionable and turn them into short memos by nightfall at the latest.