The Foreign Service Journal, October 2012

I think a lot of us tend to be overly confident and perhaps impatient with the older generation.” As one female USAID FSO who joined in 2011 notes, “Our generation appears to be able to look at historically difficult interagency negotiations with fresh eyes. We are results-ori- ented.” A similar sentiment was expressed by a USAID democ- racy officer serving in Central Asia: “I think that my generation is no-nonsense. I think we are less concerned with rank and ceremony and more concerned about getting things done.” And FSO Ben Kauffeld writes from USAID Ghana: “As a Gen Xer entering the Foreign Service in my 40s, I think I am strad- dling generations. I think the newer generations have higher expectations that the workplace/agency should be responsive to their needs and interests, rather than that they should adapt themselves—and I think this is a good thing that will, hope- fully, bring change.” One USAID FSO serving in southern Africa commented on a lack of experience of some of her colleagues coming into the Service: “The current crop of new FS officers often lack significant work experience. Some have no work experience except for internships, coming to USAID straight from graduate school. The way USAID set up the DLI program (not offering mid-career slots and with very low starting wages) led to a situation with lots of new professionals. So we now have some new officers who are not ready to lead offices, at a time when we are losing senior staff and could really use people with good leadership skills and with the ability to work collaboratively, both within and outside USAID.” A Critical Look at FS Culture Impressions of the Foreign Service culture among recent entrants vary greatly. A USAID officer covered all the bases by observing that FS culture is “what you make of it.” Positive descriptions from respondents include: pride in service, patrio-