Some of the biggest stumbles I’ve had in my life—both personal and professional—were the times when I failed to be diplomatic in tenuous situations. But have you ever *REALLY* thought about what it means to be diplomatic, to behave LIKE a diplomat? Until recently, I had not. So I did some research, and painfully compared what I was learning to what I already knew from my own past failures.

One of the most popular quotes I could find on the subject is from 1920s sports writer Walter Trumbull who once quipped that diplomacy is “the art of saying ‘nice doggy’ ... until you can find a rock.” 

But the definition I like the most is from a group called School of Life. They say, “Diplomacy is the art of advancing an idea or cause without unnecessarily inflaming passions or unleashing a catastrophe.” 

So, what is the "ART" of everyday diplomacy and how does it work to keep the flames of conflict from getting out of control? I think there are at least three critical areas—A, R, T—and in this episode I explore the first area.

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