Emily and I often say that our time with the Foreign Service were some of our favorite years. I wouldn’t have changed a minute of it. And every time I visit with friends at U.S. Embassies or Consulates while on travel, I am reminded of how proud I am of these men and women. There are books and tributes written on this subject, and mine will not be the most eloquent voice in this chorus. But the other day, here in Monrovia, Liberia, I was again struck by the combination of smarts and poise that are at the core of the Foreign Service Officers who represent our country around the world.
Communications across cultures, especially when it has to match highly charged and highly nuanced public diplomacy agendas, is a fine art. I watched as a senior U.S. Diplomat talked to the media about how the Embassy is helping address sensitive issues of poverty reduction, stability and political cooperation. It is never easy. He didn’t have the luxury of “one” audience to keep in mind while talking. No diplomat ever does. Everything he says gets dissected and interpreted here in this country and in the media market (in this case, the U.S. and European capitals) where the story will air. This is where the communications art comes into play. The diplomat has to engage with the journalist while juggling an impressive set of priorities and watching out for messaging minefileds. It’s like keeping three mental menus in your mind having to order from the specials that the waiter rattles off.
This job is never easy, and especially in a place like Liberia, where the stakes of the public diplomacy agenda include security, livelihoods, and progress for millions of people. The other day, I saw a fine example of this art. Diplomacy still speaks in a very important language.