on April 21, 2010 @ 5:17 pm
Carry-on, Cari!
Keep pushing the buttons.
The reason that your advice and suggestions are not always utilized, is that you make too much common sense, which is not convenient for most of the political egos.
Most politicians prefer to be surrounded by "yes-men" ... which you are not... in all respects!
on April 21, 2010 @ 7:57 pm
Thanks David, coming from you that means so much!
on April 21, 2010 @ 8:51 pm
Very insightful and practical Cari. I like it! It shows how a practitioner's point of view is able to take in and understand situations on a much broader and useful level than an analyst's or pundit's point of view.
Is hidden power by nature soft power? Should we start discussing these hidden weapons as soft power actors, and training students and budding diplomats to use these tools? You mention the private sector as well. Should this be a part of strategic communication courses and textbooks? If these methods become popularized are they hidden anymore? Would you rename them at that point?
on April 22, 2010 @ 5:56 am
Cari, right on. I learned the first week at USIA where the true--not so hidden--power rested. It was indeed the administrative assistants and main support staff. Hmm, I have a theory why spousal power is ignored. It reminds me of the oft-heard phrase: "I'd like to thank my wife, without whose support none of this would have happened." That's not to say all spouses are female, but the support position is often assumed, not acknowledged.
on April 22, 2010 @ 7:15 am
Cari, so true! If we listen to our mothers, she would say, 'You do not have a second chance to make a first impression' We must thank and honor those people who are 'first responders' and who support the efforts of those who are in the public eye. Your message needs to be distributed far and wide. Great job! And thank you to all those who hold the 'hidden power', you are most appreciated.
on April 22, 2010 @ 9:32 am
Thank you for your most informative article. My thinking is very much in what you are writing about. Yes, indeed I strongly believe that the spouses and families of Americans living and working abroad represent the culture of this Nation.We all represent America! I also strongly believe that before people are send to a foreign country, they need to not only be briefed but learn about its history and have an understanding of its ways...including a few words of its language ( at least) It is the respect for the difference that is lacking...and only that can bring trust in the differences and this respect adds to the "hidden power."
on April 22, 2010 @ 2:23 pm
I recently published a book called "Simple Gestures" in whichI recounted 40 years living (as a diplomat's wife)and working in the ME (as an anthropologist. What you say is true, not only for the spouses of diplomats but those of the rulers of the Gulf--their "invisible power" which is considerable despite the veils.
on April 22, 2010 @ 2:28 pm
Great Blog. It's hidden power and what's also hidden is the speed at which success can or will be delivered. If you tap into this hidden power, things move so much faster. If you don't, take a seat as you'll be there for a while wondering what's taking things so long.........
on April 22, 2010 @ 10:34 pm
Good post. I personally really appreciated and professionally, I couldn't agree more. The powerful knowledge of spouses is usually undermined so I love it when a good boss recognizes them too.
Still, I never really thought too much about the children and you make a very insightful point.
When I lived in (Asian city), I'm sure the U.S. Embassy staff was on the pulse but us kids (i.e., teenagers) knew what was going on in the cool, hip and sometimes 'dangerous' world. I knew where all the kids went to party, where kids went to do extremely bad stuff (e.g., selling drugs and other high-valued items) and all the kids knew the secrets. Now looking back, I think the kids, the young dependents, might have been a better source of intelligence than the sponsors and the spouses. Growing up in Asian cities like (--) and (--) as a teenager, I grew to be very street smart and so were the other kids, bad and good. A lot of kids were also mixed-race; for example, a lot of sponsors were married to host-nation women or other women who could pass for locals and the kids were often bilingual and certainly bicultural. It's no different today. These kids are incredible sources of information and sometimes, they can pass for native. Furthermore, kids can be more adventurous and fearless than their sponsor-mothers who can sometimes remain in their insular American world, therefore not often leaving U.S. grounds. This makes the kids the experts in getting around the city, networking, learning about the city's good and bad parts -- all while the sponsor works and possibly remains oblivious.
Even more, the more frequently kids move from country to country, the better they are at these things -- learning, meeting people, getting all the goods -- good and bad.
on April 23, 2010 @ 10:02 am
Great perspective! I've had friends who've worked in DC for various representatives and senators, and it's true what they say: Congress is run by 20- and 30- somethings, all working behind the scenes. And often they don't get the fame and glory, or even just the credit, they deserve.
That's also an interesting point about the day-to-day interactions of diplomats' spouses and children with the nation they are serving. As many Americans will never have the opportunity to experience another culture first hand, the families of diplomats have such a valuable advantage at hand, which can also be a valuable resource. Many times we are only exposed to a culture through official reports or newsworthy events, but fail to get the "inside scoop". Diplomats' spouses and children are in an excellent position to forge an intimate relationship with a nation and then share that perspective with those of us that know so little.
on April 23, 2010 @ 1:12 pm
Cari, I'm so glad you have brought forth this perspective and I could not agree with you more.
Administrative assistants and security representatives really do know the "inside scoop" within an organization whether it be domestic or international. I think many people would agree with this point and it has been the focus of recent classroom and professional discussions I have encountered.
But, I haven't heard much conversation on the knowledge held by spouses and children within an organization, specifically those spouses of individuals posted to international positions within the US Government. This is unfortunate, because as you point out, they are a great resource for what is REALLY occurring at the grassroots/ local level while their spouse who works for the government is carrying out their duties and "saving the world". I have been a Naval Officer for 5 years and am familiar with the culture of the US military. I would certainly say the majority of family members forward deployed spend a lot of time exploring the culture of the community and making local friends overseas. In addition, spouses of military and government officials attend a large number of events where they have access to high level foreign military and government figures as well as their knowledge. For this reason, federal agencies such as the CIA should utilize these individuals for information gathering (and probably already have done so). This point has recently sparked my attention as I look toward my future following graduation of the Public Diplomacy Master's program at USC and continued affiliation with the US Navy.
I think it is quite appropriate in this situation for family members to remain the "hidden power" or else they will no longer be the "hidden treasure" and their security could potentially be compromised. However, I will contradict myself by saying I do think it is important to share the encounters of military or federal agency family members to civilians in order to increase perspectives on sacrifices made around the globe for international security.
on April 25, 2010 @ 9:27 am
Good piece and the experience is compelling. Hidden power sources exist in many organizations and interactions. Often they are counterproductive and support widely differing POVs. Clear leadership and transparency for me tend to win.
on June 7, 2010 @ 7:21 am
Cari,
Well written post. Thanks.
The Protocol School of Washington got its start preparing the entire team going overseas to serve at US Embassies … officials, admins, and spouses. And as you point out the trainings acknowledged that important things happened outside the conference room.
Robert Hickey
Deputy Director
The Protocol School of Washington
on July 11, 2010 @ 7:50 am
America's greatest strength in leadership has always been rooted in its diplomacy, much more so than in its coercion - backed up by its extraordinarily well supplied military.
Who needs more?
