Diplomacy is the established method for influencing the decisions and behaviour of foreign governments and peoples through dialogue and negotiation, rather than through coercion or force. It is largely done through accredited envoys (diplomats) and other political leaders, though some of its activities are broader and public, such as summit meetings and international conferences.
In its broadest sense, diplomacy is the practice of negotiating and resolving conflict between individuals and nations in order to build healthy and robust relationships. It can be used to navigate tense classroom debates, workplace conflicts, and family disagreements as well as international disputes and a range of other issues.
To be effective, diplomacy must be respectful and based on mutual interests and respect for others. Humiliating your counterpart, wrong-footing them, making them feel small and insignificant, gloating over their failures or successes—these are all tactics that kill the spirit of diplomacy. The goal of a diplomat is to leave their opposite number feeling that they have won and that a positive, lasting agreement has been reached.
While the earliest diplomatic agreements were bilateral, diplomacy is now mostly multilateral. The negotiating methods and tools used by countries vary greatly, but they all share one crucial feature: a desire to reach an agreement that is mutually beneficial and builds trust. That, in turn, creates a more stable and prosperous world. It is in this spirit that we should all practice diplomacy, whether we are resolving an argument at work, writing to our family members, or discussing politics on Facebook.