Diplomacy is the formal, official relations between countries, conducted by the professional and accredited representatives of states—called diplomats. It aims to advance a state, nation or organization’s interests without the use of force and in a way that avoids the risk and cost of war. Diplomacy also works to preserve peace and seeks compromise with other nations.

Diplomats often travel between different nations to meet face-to-face and conduct negotiations. They have diplomatic privileges that protect them in host countries from prosecution and arrest for any crimes committed on the job. These privileges were established in the mid-17th century in Europe and formally agreed upon by countries through the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

In addition to face-to-face meetings and negotiations, diplomatic relations can include consultations, back-channel talks, conferences and summits. They can be multilateral, with multiple participating countries, or bilateral, between one country and another. Diplomacy also involves the creation of treaties and alliances among states or international organizations.

Whether in a workgroup scenario or in personal relationships, diplomacy involves managing interactions with sensitivity, strategic communication and a priority towards peaceful conflict resolution. For example, in a workgroup scenario, a person practicing diplomacy may facilitate a brainstorming session, encouraging team members to share their views and actively listening to a variety of perspectives. This promotes a collaborative and harmonious working environment, mitigating the potential for conflicts to arise. A personal example of diplomacy would be navigating a disagreement with a friend by empathizing, acknowledging and steering the conversation toward common ground respecting cultural sensibilities.