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Gohar Hovsepian's blog
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In the world of diplomacy, the days of handshakes, bilateral meetings or international summits attracting world leaders and diplomats to discuss issues of the day, have remained a history. The new coronavirus outbreak has radically changed our lifestyles: political leaders have to hold over the foreign policy goals and prioritize global responses to the deadly disease. That leaves traditional diplomacy standstill, followed by virtual video conferences devoid of close personal contact which has been deemed indispensable in carrying out foreign affairs. While cybersecurity and infrastructure capable of supporting fast and reliable connectivity remain among paramount concerns turning global diplomats to online diplomacy.
Diplomacy has traditionally been depicted in literature and movies as intrinsically secret and full of intrigue, carried out by few actors, with public opinion playing a passive role if any. This description was quite true in the Talleyrand and Metternich era and partly throughout the twentieth century. Over the last decade, the widespread use of the Internet, and particularly social media, ushered in a new era for diplomats. Twitter has proven to be a soft power tool by providing a direct channel between diplomats and citizens, which has become an indispensable arrow in the quiver of diplomacy.
Hacking lean thinking in diplomacy is not a brand new methodology to solve local, regional or international issues, however, the cross-disciplinary approach of lean thinking can dispatch real problems from an official viewpoint and test our understanding of the problem producing innovative solutions to diplomacy, development and foreign policy challenges. Coronavirus, Climate Crisis, Green Economy, Recycling problems, Urbanization, Migration blocks, Syrian Refugees, Human Trafficking, Zika Virus, Illegal Fishing, Weapons of Mass Destruction, ISIS on-line propaganda, Anti-Corruption…
In today’s world, globalization poses unique challenges to the issue of how people from diverse cultural backgrounds confront obstacles when communicating. Communication is a social process, which is influenced by interpersonal relationships based on philosophical foundations and value orientations. The need for effective communication in combination with cultural awareness, sensitivity, and understanding, form honorifics which act as a window through which we can view what is valued in a particular culture.
When asked what makes the human story powerful, it is not the series of triumphal and periodic victories or on-stage-speeches with a handful of ovations, but rather failures and persistence to overcome and embrace those failures for real human stories. Diplomatic service is a challenging and twisted path to take, but once you have stepped in, it will overtake you with its challenges and opportunities.
You cannot be anything whom you want to be – but you can be a whole lot more of who you already are,” says Tom Rath. Based on Gallup’s 40-year study of human strengths, they created a language of the 34 most common talents and developed the Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment to help people discover and describe their talents. Namely, people have several times more potential for growth when they invest energy in developing their strengths instead of correcting their deficiencies.
“If you were to take my hand and we were to go back in time, we would be standing in a small village, where people live in harmony and understanding, appreciating and regarding each other’s values, opinions, and vision. But, this does not linger for long. Famine and thirst assail, and the village goes on panic. Days pass, and fortunately or unfortunately, one of the villagers manages to sprinkle the well.
“What is the best seat on the bus?” During the regular training class “From Good to Great”, we were asked to answer this question, which at first sight looked like a general personality assessment test. I thought about the driver’s seat, but actually, the point was rather different.
What do we see here? The relationships are tested the most when putting under pressure. And there is no pressure like quite working with someone on a project whether in an organization, a class or at work: in case there is a perceived risk of receiving a promotion, a possibility of presenting a brand new idea, “competing” in teamwork or simply having a special day, which we have faced in the video scene – it’s all brimstone for conflict.
Who is a visionary? One who clearly sees the goal knows where is standing and take action towards that goal. Some people are abstract thinkers. Other people are very pragmatic and concrete in their thought.