In today’s geopolitical climate, corporate diplomacy is critical

If the events of the past months, weeks, and days are any indication, global uncertainty in the markets and the constant shifts in the geopolitical landscape are here to stay. And todays business leaders, who are increasingly being called upon to act as  corporate diplomats, will need to be prepared to address these risks now and mitigate them well into the future. Corporate diplomacy is the approach within companies to engage and negotiate effectively on behalf of their strategic interests with external stakeholders across sectors: governments, non-governmental organizations, competitors, and key influencers. In a time when geopolitics is being driven by increased nationalism, the failures of globalism, and complex security challenges we need more bold, ethical corporate diplomats who are  trained, prepared, and resourced not only to engage in the interests of their companies but of society as a whole. A lesson from business students I have been working in the corporate diplomacy domain with senior global executives my entire career. It is a discipline I am deeply passionate about. On Monday, I finished teaching my annual deep-dive Corporate Diplomacy and Geopolitical Risk elective at Hult International Business School’s San Francisco campus. In class, we had over 40 nationalities discussing and debating the fate of the world. Despite all thats wrong in the world today, my faith in humanity was restored spending time with business students from across the globe—from Russia to China, India, Germany, and everywhere in between—who are determined to find a way to come together constructively and make a positive difference in the world.   If we can come together, disagree, and then problem-solve over the course of just four days, surely we all have something to be optimistic about. My faith in humanity was restored spending time with business students from across the globe who are determined to find a way to come together constructively and make a positive difference. And here is where government could learn a lesson from business: Business, and the corporate diplomats who operate on behalf of businesses around the world, can transcend political, cultural, and racial divides to find a way forward. Business can problem-solve and communicate effectively, dispassionately, and productively—so that we can all progress. True corporate diplomats—the ones I admire and have worked with for decades—work quietly and steadily to build relationships and maintain them even through deep disagreements and challenges. The limits of individual power At a time when politics feels increasingly divisive and even  threatening to the global economy, it’s difficult to watch from the sidelines. Fortunately, with the power of social media and mobilized communities, there is much the average citizen can do. We can and should become more informed on government policy—locally, nationally, and internationally. We can join student or community-led initiatives and amplify our voices through social media. We can protest, mobilize resources, and pressure elected officials. And we can vote. But what happens after the election? Where does our power to positively impact decision-making and problem-solving go? As an individual, without the massive monetary resources to buy continued influence, the answer often is nowhere. On the other hand, corporate diplomats and the massive resources of their global companies, are positioned to have a deeper and more lasting influence if they are engaged purposefully on several fronts outside of their immediate business sphere. Leveraging the collective power of the private sector I’ve built my corporate diplomacy course  and subsequent consulting practice on the lessons learned working with companies in their tri-sector engagement efforts as part of a non-profit I co-founded alongside advertising legend Keith Reinhard, called Business for Diplomatic Action (BDA). I’ve often said that corporate diplomats are exceptional at puzzles and game theory. They are the ultimate chess masters, carefully studying the issues that affect humanity across business, government, and NGOs to build the social capital—a diverse network of trusted relationships—that helps to prevent conflict. True corporate diplomats help guide decisions and find solutions that last beyond political and emotionally charged rhetoric. They are passionate about diversity and leverage discretion to their advantage. They bring people together, and they know how to solve problems. Corporate diplomats are experienced negotiators, communicators, and coalition builders. And they lead with transparency, a global mindset, and competence in all that they do. Every time. Not just when it’s convenient or career-enhancing, but when it is hard. There are numerous cases to illustrate this, many of which are documented in Alice Korngold’s brilliant book A Better World, Inc. True corporate diplomats help guide decisions and find solutions that last beyond political and emotionally charged rhetoric. They bring people together, and they know how to solve problems. A global call for corporate diplomacy surge capacity If ever there was a time to build up this capacity across every industry in the private sector, and for business to come together in a real and sustained way to support collective corporate diplomacy surge efforts, now is that time. Ultimately, we need a collective swarm of global business leaders who are concerned on enough fronts to act and take their corporate diplomacy efforts to the next level. And we need more than expanded and accelerated corporate diplomacy efforts—we need a  Delta Force and Seal Team 6 of corporate diplomats that are continually trained, resourced, and ready to respond.   They need to be  locked and loaded,† as we say in Texas, and prepared  to jump in when geopolitical messes compound and governments seem completely unable to solve problems that will impact business and society in the short and long term. In today’s geopolitical climate, we need rapid-response, surge capacity corporate diplomacy, not just to react to political shifts at home and abroad, but to respond in thoughtful, measured, productive ways that will have lasting impact. We need a  Delta Force and Seal Team 6 of corporate diplomats that are  prepared  to jump in when geopolitical messes compound and governments seem completely unable to solve problems that impact business and society. And as educators, it’s our responsibility to prepare the next generation of business leaders for the challenges ahead and arm them with the tools to use business as a force for social good on a global scale. It begins in business schools and we need more programs focused on the essential skill set and mindset for effective corporate diplomacy. Hult is one of those rare schools dedicated to developing the next generation of global leaders, and you can feel that energy every time you step on campus. My students are focused on global impact and finding ways to solve the world’s most pressing problems by leveraging the reach and resources of business. The next generation of corporate diplomats must be ready to lead where governments cannot. Recommended reading If youre interested in learning more about corporate diplomacy and the intersection of business and politics, I recommend: Condoleezza Rice’s new book: Political Risk: How Business Organizations Can Anticipate Global Insecurity Ian Bremmer’s new book: Us vs. Them: The Failure of Globalism RAND Center for Global Risks Security – 2040 Global Risks Initiative Be the change you want to see in the world. To find out more about how Hult empowers students to channel business for social good,  download a brochure. Make the most of what your career has to offer with a Masters in International Business from Hult. To learn more, take a look at our blog Almost there: My penultimate class at business school, or give your employability a huge boost with an MBA in international business. Download a brochure or get in touch today to find out how Hult can help you to explore everything about the business world, the future, and yourself. Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021 Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021"> During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . Happy New Year, Hultians! . Happy New Year, Hultians! .