CGF ARTICLES, OPINIONS & EDITORIALS
Diplomacy: A fine line of truth (2012-09-27)
February 19,
2015 3426 3426 
The word ‘diplomacy’ may conjure many thoughts; and certainly the manner in which it is applied today may not be that different in our rapidly changing world, as compared to times gone by.
Reflecting upon earlier times, one recalls the ancient travellers -- such as Marco Polo (1254-1324), Vasco de Gama (1460-1525) and Francis Drake (1540-1596) -- who travelled to other continents without any accurate understanding of their route, neither the manner in which they would be received by the people they would meet in foreign countries. As history revealed, more often than not these brave pioneers met fierce and hostile nations, yet on other occasions they were welcomed with awe and cordial invitations. And from these early beginnings, the true diplomat was born. These diplomats played a key role in connecting different countries, to foster relations between the different people and their values with their main goal of opening trade between their countries through dialogue and good relations.
Of course, whilst the beginnings of diplomacy was born out of people bartering and exchanging discussion and viewpoints, the success of these activities was in all likelihood dependant upon the diplomat’s ability to respect different cultures, customs and values and then knowing how to skilfully achieve their trade objectives through diplomatic means. Moreover, these diplomatic skills -- which are as important and necessary today -- could not be offensive, meaning that a good diplomat throughout the ages still understands the art and importance of dealing with people in a sensitive and tactful way.
Similarly today, being a true diplomat in an organisation, whether in a business for profit or any other non-profit or governmental environment, requires that the person uphold various values, has specific communication skills with networking experience amongst other. Expectedly, in a modern and highly complex globalised economy, the art of diplomacy has become quite critical in order that trust and credibility be established with the aim of transacting at multiple levels, be this internally of the organisation, locally and or internationally. Needless to say, diplomacy includes the art of negotiation as a means of building consensus, concluding agreements or resolving disputes. The key principles which capture the essential, intrinsic nature of diplomacy are generally agreed to be the prevention of conflict, ethical conduct and cultural sensitivity.
