Get your brain in motion

Category: Diplofoundation (Page 3 of 5)

Bureaucratic traps to avoid

The theme of Diplocalendar 2013 was inspired by Mark Twain’s quotation that: “The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them”.

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Diplomats, like many other professionals, must read, understand, synthesise and make sense of newspapers, magazines, emails, official reports and so many other things related to their daily work. But there is so much else to read both for pleasure and to deepen our knowledge.

One of the selected book suggested that supports professional development and is relevant to management in diplomacy is the classic C. Northcote Parkinson‘s Parkinson’s Law

Civil servants and politicians

Diplomats, like many other professionals, must read, understand, synthesise and make sense of newspapers, magazines, emails, official reports and so many other things related to their daily work. But there is so much else to read both for pleasure and to deepen our knowledge.

The selected book suggested for the month of September that supports professional development and is relevant to management in diplomacy is the classic J. Lynne and A. Jay‘s Yes Minister related to the famous BBC sitcom series

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The theme of Diplocalendar 2013 was inspired by Mark Twain’s quotation that: “The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them”.

 

Discover the Genius in you

The theme of Diplocalendar 2013 was inspired by Mark Twain’s quotation that: “The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them”.

Davinci_May

Diplomats, like many other professionals, must read, understand, synthesise and make sense of newspapers, magazines, emails, official reports and so many other things related to their daily work. But there is so much else to read both for pleasure and to deepen our knowledge.

The selected book suggested for the month of April that supports professional development and is relevant to management in diplomacy is Michael J. Gelb’s  Think Like Da Vinci

A Users manual for your Brain?

The theme of Diplocalendar 2013 was inspired by Mark Twain’s quotation that: “The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them”.

Brain Rules

Diplomats, like many other professionals, must read, understand, synthesise and make sense of newspapers, magazines, emails, official reports and so many other things related to their daily work. But there is so much else to read both for pleasure and to deepen our knowledge.

The selected book suggested for the month of April that supports professional development and is relevant to management in diplomacy is John Medina’s Brain Rules

Thinking is an activity

The theme of Diplocalendar 2013 was inspired by Mark Twain’s quotation that: “The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them”.

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Diplomats, like many other professionals, must read, understand, synthesise and make sense of newspapers, magazines, emails, official reports and so many other things related to their daily work. But there is so much else to read both for pleasure and to deepen our knowledge.

The selected book suggested for the month of March that supports professional development and is relevant to management in diplomacy is Edward De Bono’s Thinking Course

Twitter for diplomats: A guide to the fastest-growing digital diplomacy tool

DiploFoundatwitter4diplomatstion and Istituto Diplomatico of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs have published Twitter for Diplomats by Andreas Sandre (@andreas212nyc).

It is the first publication in a series designed to analyse how social media diplomacy helps create – and maintain – a true conversation between policymakers and citizens, between diplomats and foreign public.

The book is not a technical manual, or a list of what to do and not to do. It is rather a collection of information, anecdotes, and experiences. It recounts episodes involving foreign ministers and ambassadors, as well as their ways of interacting with the tool and exploring its great potential. It wants to inspire ambassadors and diplomats to open and nurture their Twitter accounts – and to inspire all of us to use Twitter to better listen and open our minds.

‘Social media exposes foreign policymakers to global audiences while at the same time allowing governments to reach them instantly,’ explains Italy’s Foreign Minister, GiulioTerzi (@GiulioTerzi) in his preface to the book. ‘Twitter has two big positive effects on foreign policy: it fosters a beneficial exchange of ideas between policymakers and civil society and enhances diplomats’ ability to gather information and to anticipate, analyze, manage, and react to events.’

Twitter for diplomats is a practical and engaging guide for making the work of diplomats more effective and impactful. You can consult the online version from Diplo’s publication site or you can download it here.  Read Andreas Sandre’s post about the publication. For information about the printed version please write to diplobooks@diplomacy.edu.

Persuasion, trust and personal credibility

Persuasion is at the heart of the diplomatic process and in turn depends on credibility and inter-personal communication qualities of the envoy to function in effectively.
The essay “Persuasion, trust and personal credibility” by Kishan Rana, former Indian ambassador, explores the linkage between persuasion and trust, given that the one is impossible to practice without the other.

Read more at: http://goo.gl/5XRGA

Image source: http://goo.gl/Le8Ph

Negotiating skills

What does it take to be a good negotiator? There are many skills involved in negotiations and they should all be considered by those involved in diplomatic negotiations.

In this illustration realized by Stefano Baldi on the basis of his experience in multilateral negotiations, it is possible to have an idea of the main skills that are required for a successful diplomatic negotiator.

Image source: Diplofoundation

Risk management

The subject of the Diplocalendar 2012 for the month of December is Risk management.

If you don’t manage risk, risk will manage you and the odds are, that risk will win.

“Luck favours the prepared mind” (Louis Pasteur)

More inspiring subjects on Diplocalendar 2012 that explores in both a serious and lighthearted way, some elements of interpersonal relationships and management that can help in daily activities.

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