The Foreign Service Journal, May 2023

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2023 23 Speaking Out is the Journal ’s opinion forum, a place for lively discussion of issues affecting the U.S. Foreign Service and American diplomacy. The views expressed are those of the author; their publication here does not imply endorsement by the American Foreign Service Association. Responses are welcome; send them to journal@afsa.org . by refusing to do so, created performance and morale issues. Students have talked about becoming servant leaders during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure their team knew they were appre- ciated; the team often rewarded them in demonstrating renewed commitment. Other students have related the impor- tance of treating everyone in the work- place fairly. They have shared many stories emphasizing their commitment to public service and of holding other employees to the same commitment. Students have emphasized workplace flexibility and the importance of trust and good commu- nication. Many have provided personal examples about how their leadership values were shaped and nurtured by their parents and mentors. Foreign Service personnel regularly find themselves in new surroundings with new teams where they have the oppor- tunity to clearly articulate their leader- ship philosophies. Having one ready that paints an honest picture of what new colleagues may expect can set a positive tone that promotes greater camaraderie and productivity within the group. Seeing State Department students using their leadership and management coursework experiences at NIU to pre- pare themselves for future roles has con- firmed our view that the university is an excellent choice for mid-career profes- sional development, and we encourage those interested to pursue this unique opportunity. n