Question-Week ending Sunday 01/04/04:
Who among our list of Secretaries of State, would you consider being "MOST DIPLOMATIC" while in office? Please read our Pre-Poll Commentary before taking this poll.
Pre-Poll Commentary:
We have been discussing the qualities of great leaders, each consecutive week in our polls since August 24th, 2003. With only three weeks left in this series, in this week's poll, we will be discussing the quality of BEING DIPLOMATIC." This quality is no more or less important than many of the other great leadership qualities we have discussed above. For the purpose of this poll, we will describe being diplomatic as "using tactfulness and sensitivity in dealing with others."
This meaning may sound similar to being compassionate. However, there is a difference. Diplomacy is usually used in relationships with others outside of their organization. A company leader would display compassion with his or her employees, yet display diplomacy with a bank or vendor. Likewise, a President or head of state would show compassion for his or her citizens, while being diplomatic with other heads of state.
Diplomacy is necessary, in negotiating win-win solutions with those outside of your organization, business or government. It is an art to be learned and takes much practice and skill to be effective. If a leader lacks diplomatic skills, it can lead to failed relationships that can take years, decades or even centuries to mend or repair. Thus, this is a skill to be taken seriously.
A great place to judge diplomatic skills would be in the office of Secretary of State. Let us know in this week's poll, who among our list of Secretaries of State, you would consider being "MOST DIPLOMATIC" while in office? This poll will end on Sunday 01/04/04, when the results will be displayed.
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Results:
- 28% of voters chose James Baker from our list of Secretaries of State, as being "Most Diplomatic" while in office
- 26% of voters chose Henry Kissinger from our list of Secretaries of State, as being "Most Diplomatic" while in office
- 23% of voters chose Colin Powell from our list of Secretaries of State, as being "Most Diplomatic" while in office
- 09% of voters chose George Shultz from our list of Secretaries of State, as being "Most Diplomatic" while in office
- 08% of voters chose Warren Christopher from our list of Secretaries of State, as being "Most Diplomatic" while in office
- 06% of voters chose Madeleine Albright from our list of Secretaries of State, as being "Most Diplomatic" while in office
Post-Poll Commentary:
The votes were close between Kissinger and Baker all week long, with Powell running third. Baker ended the week with the most votes as being "Most Diplomatic" during his time in office.
Diplomacy plays a major role in government of nations. Having highly skilled representatives can make the difference between war and peace. But diplomatic skills are just as important to the average in any culture.
By our definition above, it's also important to use tactfulness and sensitivity in dealing with others outside our immediate family unit. For instance - isn't it important to be diplomatic with our extended families like our mother and father in-laws, brother and sister in-laws, aunts, uncles and cousins? Marriages can face major problems when diplomacy is not used in dealing with these relatives. The same holds true for dealing with neighbors, friends or others outside of our immediate families.
As average citizens, we may not need the same level of sophisticated diplomatic skills as James Baker or Henry Kissinger. Nonetheless, we had better be diplomatic in our relationships with others, if we want peace in our lives.
Practice being tactful and sensitive when dealing with others, to avoid more stress in your life. Those who MUST PROVE TO EVERYONE THAT THEY ARE ALWAYS RIGHT, usually live miserable lonely lives. Diplomacy is a skill that should be practiced by all leaders and average citizens each and every day.