The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2016

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JULY-AUGUST 2016 39 gives you the right and the ability to do so? When those times come, there’s no easy checklist, and there’s precious little time to think—you need to have already developed a framework for moral and competent leadership. 21 Understand and internalize professional discipline. One aspect of this is to be able to take challenges and annoyances in stride. A second is to speak truth to power, respectfully but clearly. A third is to articulate and defend U.S. positions with which you may disagree strongly—in my own case, for example, the Iraq invasion and waterboarding. As you advance, you will be put on the spot increasingly to defend or implement positions with which you may disagree. Remember, “assess critically and implement faithfully.” Understand the mechanisms for dissent and use them if needed. Take pride in your work as part of a larger effort to advance U.S. interests. 22 Ensure that you look at all issues—work, foreign policy and personal—through an ethical lens. You’ll appreciate the habit as you move up. So will your subordi- nates. 23 If you see something, speak up. I always told per- sonnel new to the embassy that there was no room for any discrimination, sexual harassment or abusive treat- ment of anyone in the embassy by anyone else, and I insisted they meet these standards. I would tell them that while I hoped that they would never encounter such problems, if they did, or if they became aware of others who did, I expected them to inform the DCM and me. 24 Volunteer for additional duty outside your day job where you can develop management and leader- ship skills: e.g., with the housing board, employee association or commissary board; as an Equal Employment Opportunity representative or AFSA post representative; as a control officer for VIP visits; or on employee evaluation review (EER) panels. Consider local volunteer work, including teaching English at the American center. Activities that demonstrate your initia- tive, outreach, ability to develop a budget or execute a project, no matter how small, will stretch you and impress promotion panels. 25 Develop bureaucratic skills, especially how to par- ticipate in or run a meeting (hint: to arrive on time, arrive early) and identify the results you need from the meeting. You will spend far too much time in meetings, so you should get the most you can out of them. Read Richard Haass’ The Bureau- cratic Entrepreneur . 26 If you are a first-time supervisor, seek advice on setting objectives, giving guidance, counseling and addressing any performance issues. Ask yourself how your leadership adds value to your team’s work. You can be frank and firm, but never yell at or demean your subordinates; “leaders” who do so are bullies and ineffective. Take care of your people and praise their successes to your bosses. Learn to learn from your subordinates. Resilience, Health and Passion 27 Balance work with family and personal needs. Your family will be there when the Foreign Service is not. 28 After consulting a doctor, give serious consideration to more exercise and better physical fitness. Physi- cal fitness is still undervalued in the Foreign Service, but I’ve found it extremely helpful in dealing with the stress and dangers of our profession, and it’s essential if you engage in expedition- ary diplomacy or if you are an RSO. Bonus points if you join the Marines on a physical fitness or combat fitness test. Keep tabs on your emotional health, too. If you see or experience something traumatic, it’s smart to consult a mental health professional rather than try to tough it out on your own. The combination of physical, mental and spiritual fitness and agility, along with your sense of mission and teamwork, will determine your effectiveness and resilience when, not if, you face adversity and danger. 29 You will make mistakes. Acknowledge them, apolo- gize as appropriate and learn from them. Much of your professional development will be on-the-job training, with advanced study in the school of hard knocks. 30 As you work on these issues and as you advance, try to maintain a running conversation with your inner self about why this work matters to you. Developing, refin- ing and redefining your passion and purpose as a professional is extremely important and healthy. Thank you for volunteering for the Foreign Service. We need you. Go make a difference! n Study the moral aspects of leadership and responsibility, because your actions can have a direct impact on people’s lives.