In a small town, two neighboring businesses – a bakery and a butcher shop – were constantly at odds over parking spaces.
One day, a new shopkeeper moved into the area and observed the ongoing feud. Wanting to make a good impression, he invited the bakery owner and butcher to a friendly dinner at his place. During the meal, he diplomatically steered the conversation toward the benefits of cooperation and the potential for increased business if they worked together.
By the end of the evening, the bakery owner and butcher were laughing and sharing stories. They realized their rivalry was more of a spectacle than a serious issue. With the shopkeeper’s diplomatic intervention, they agreed to share the parking spaces and even started recommending each other’s business to customers.
A little diplomacy can turn adversaries into allies and transform conflict into collaboration.
“Diplomacy is nothing but a lot of hot air,” said an aide to Georges Clemenceau, a famous French statesman from yesteryear as they rode together to an international meeting.
“Perhaps,” Clemenceau said, “but air is what is in our automobile tires and notice how it eases the bumps.”
The late Madeleine Albright, a former secretary of state, said, “When we’re trying to solve difficult national issues, it’s sometimes necessary to talk to adversaries, as well as friends. Historians have a word for this: diplomacy.”
Another former secretary of state, the late Colin Powell, said, “You have to develop relationships with other people so when the tough times come, you can work together.”
Diplomacy in business is incredibly important. It serves as the foundation for building and maintaining positive relationships. Here’s why diplomacy is crucial:
Fostering collaboration – Diplomacy helps create an environment where people feel respected and valued. When colleagues communicate diplomatically, they are more likely to collaborate successfully, share ideas and work toward common goals.
Conflict resolution – Diplomatic skills enable individuals to address disagreements constructively, find common ground and reach mutually beneficial solutions without damaging relationships.
Enhancing reputation – When a business is known for treating its clients and partners with respect and fairness, it builds trust and credibility.
Navigating cultural differences – In a globalized business world, understanding and respecting cultural differences is crucial. Diplomacy helps navigate these differences, ensuring interactions are respectful and productive.
Building strong networks – Diplomatic individuals are often more successful in building and maintaining strong professional networks. They are adept at nurturing relationships, which can lead to new opportunities and partnerships.
Here’s another story to illustrate my point. In a bustling corporate office, the marketing team and the sales team were notorious for their rivalry.
One day, the CEO decided to address the situation with a bit of humor and diplomacy. During a companywide meeting, he announced a new initiative: a friendly competition where both teams would work together to design the most creative advertisement for the company’s new product.
The catch? The winning team would be treated to a lavish dinner, but the losing team would have to serve them.
As the teams worked together, they discovered each other’s strengths and began to appreciate the value each brought to the table. The competition ended with both teams producing outstanding advertisements, and the CEO declared it a tie. In the end, everyone enjoyed a celebratory dinner together, with no one having to serve the other.
Mackay’s Moral: Diplomacy is thinking twice before saying nothing.
Harvey Mackay is the author of the New York Times bestseller “Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive.” He can be reached through his website, www.harveymackay.com.
