Character Trait: Diplomatic

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait diplomatic refers to the ability to handle a situation in a sensitive and tactful manner, while still achieving a desired outcome. A diplomatic person is skilled at communicating effectively, understanding different perspectives, and finding common ground in order to resolve conflicts. They are also able to navigate complex social situations with ease and grace, and are able to maintain good relationships with others even in difficult circumstances. Overall, a diplomatic character is one who is able to bring people together and create positive outcomes through their ability to communicate effectively and navigate complex social situations.

Possible causes of being diplomatic

You might want to weave these into your character's back story to build a more believable character.

• A preference for collaboration and cooperation
• A sense of responsibility towards others and a desire to help or serve others
• An ability to remain calm and level-headed in high-pressure situations
• A tendency to view problems and situations from a holistic perspective
• A natural inclination towards empathy and understanding of others' perspectives
• A desire to maintain harmony and avoid confrontation
• Strong communication skills, including active listening and conflict resolution
• A belief in the power of compromise and negotiation

Behaviors associated with being diplomatic

You may be able to show your character's trait of diplomatic by using these.

• Listening actively to others' perspectives
• Avoiding confrontational language or behavior
• Being open-minded and willing to learn from others
• Being patient and calm in difficult situations
• Considering multiple viewpoints before making a decision
• Using tact and sensitivity when communicating with others
• Finding common ground and compromise in conflicts
• Showing respect and empathy towards others' feelings and opinions

Attitudes associated with being diplomatic

You may be able to show diplomatic through their attitudes.

• Open-mindedness
• Patience
• Empathy
• Respectfulness
• Conflict resolution skills
• Tactfulness
• Willingness to listen to others
• Non-judgmental approach
• Ability to see different perspectives

Thoughts and struggles associated with being diplomatic

Here are some ideas for things your diplomatic character may think or struggle with.

• Trying to navigate complex power dynamics and alliances between different groups
• Struggling with the emotional toll of negotiating high stakes deals and potentially betraying allies
• Wrestling with the ethics of deception and manipulation in diplomacy
• Striving for compromise and peaceful resolution in all situations
• Balancing the desire to maintain positive relationships with other nations or groups with the need to stand up for their own beliefs and principles
• Feeling torn between loyalty to their own country or organization and the greater good of the world
• Constantly weighing the needs and desires of others against their own goals and values

Emotions associated with being diplomatic

Here are some ideas for emotions your diplomatic character may experience.

• Open-mindedness
• Cooperation
• Patience
• Humility
• Calmness
• Empathy
• Tactfulness
• Fairness
• Understanding

Facial expressions associated with being diplomatic

Here are some facial expressions your diplomatic character may exhibit.

• A calm and even tone of voice
• A slight pause before responding
• Avoiding harsh or critical facial expressions
• A gentle smile
• Soft eye contact
• A slight tilt of the head
• Nodding in agreement
• A relaxed facial expression
• Raised eyebrows

Body language associated with being diplomatic

Here is some body language your diplomatic character may exhibit.

• Using a moderate tone of voice and avoiding aggressive gestures
• Being mindful of personal space and respecting others' boundaries
• Showing empathy and understanding through facial expressions and body language
• Maintaining eye contact while listening and speaking
• Using hand gestures to emphasize points, but avoiding pointing directly at someone
• Keeping a calm and composed demeanor
• Nodding and smiling to show interest and agreement
• Using open and non-threatening body posture

Behaviors associated with being diplomatic

Here are some behaviors your diplomatic character may exhibit.

• Showing respect and empathy towards others' feelings and opinions
• Avoiding confrontational language or behavior
• Using tact and sensitivity when communicating with others
• Listening actively to others' perspectives
• Being patient and calm in difficult situations
• Being open-minded and willing to learn from others
• Finding common ground and compromise in conflicts
• Considering multiple viewpoints before making a decision

Growth and evolution of diplomatic characters

Here are some ways that your diplomatic character may grow and evolve over time.

• Develop a greater sense of empathy and compassion for others
• Develop a greater sense of self-awareness and emotional intelligence
• Learn to negotiate and compromise effectively
• Gain a deeper understanding of cultural differences and how to navigate them
• Learn to listen actively and understand different perspectives
• Learn to de-escalate conflict and find peaceful solutions
• Become more patient and understanding in challenging situations
• Gain more confidence in their ability to resolve conflicts and build relationships
• Develop better communication skills, including nonverbal cues and body language

Stereotypes of diplomatic characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical diplomatic character like these examples.

• Being too focused on the needs and desires of others at the expense of their own goals and priorities.
• Failing to establish boundaries and allowing others to take advantage of them.
• Avoiding making tough decisions or taking a stand on important issues.
• Being overly passive or submissive in their interactions with others.
• Being too agreeable and never expressing their own opinions or beliefs.
• Appearing indecisive or wishy-washy in their actions and decisions.
• Being dishonest or withholding information in order to avoid conflict.
• Being too emotional and allowing their feelings to cloud their judgment.
• Using flattery or insincere compliments to manipulate others.

Negatives of being diplomatic

Here are some potential negatives of being diplomatic. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as positives depending on the context.

• They may prioritize keeping everyone happy over expressing their own opinions or standing up for what they believe in.
• Diplomatic people may avoid conflict and difficult conversations, which can lead to unresolved issues or lack of assertiveness.
• Diplomatic individuals may struggle with making tough decisions or taking decisive action, as they may be overly concerned with how others will perceive their choices.
• They may struggle to communicate clearly or honestly, as they may fear offending others or causing tension.

Positives of being diplomatic

Here are some potential positives of being diplomatic. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as negatives depending on the context.

• They are often seen as trustworthy and reliable, as they have a reputation for being honest and upfront in their dealings.
• They are able to remain calm and composed under pressure, maintaining a level head in difficult situations.
• They have a talent for resolving conflicts and finding common ground between opposing parties.
• Diplomatic individuals are skilled at building and maintaining relationships, both personal and professional.
• They possess strong negotiation skills, able to work out win-win solutions that benefit all parties involved.
• Diplomatic people are skilled at communicating effectively and persuasively.
• Diplomatic individuals are good listeners, able to understand and empathize with different perspectives.
• Diplomats are respected for their tact and discretion, able to handle sensitive information and delicate situations with grace.

Verbal expressions of diplomatic characters

Here are some potential expressions used by diplomatic characters.

• "Let's find a solution that works for everyone"
• "I would like to hear more about your thoughts on this"
• "Let's approach this with an open mind"
• "I see your point, but have you considered..."
• "I understand that this may be difficult for you"
• "I can see both sides of the issue"
• "I appreciate your perspective"
• "I understand where you're coming from"
• "Let's work together to find a compromise"

Relationships of diplomatic characters

Here are some ways that being diplomatic could affect your character's relationships.

• They are skilled at finding common ground and negotiating compromises.
• They may have a tendency to avoid confrontation and may find it challenging to express negative emotions or criticism.
• They may struggle with setting boundaries or asserting themselves in relationships.
• They value loyalty and may go out of their way to maintain friendships and connections.
• They are good listeners and make an effort to validate others' emotions.
• They prioritize harmony and seek to avoid conflicts whenever possible.
• They may be skilled at diffusing tense situations and calming others down.
• They tend to be empathetic and understanding of others' perspectives.

Examples from books of characters who are diplomatic

• Gandalf from "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Armand Gamache from "Still Life" by Louise Penny
• Clarice Starling from "The Silence of the Lambs" by Thomas Harris
• Atticus Finch from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
• Elizabeth Bennet from "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
• Katniss Everdeen from "The Hunger Games" trilogy by Suzanne Collins
• Hermione Granger from the "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
• Jean-Luc Picard from "Star Trek: The Next Generation" TV series
• Daenerys Targaryen from "A Song of Ice and Fire" series by George R.R. Martin

Writing exercises for writing diplomatic characters

Here are some writing exercises you might try for learning to write diplomatic characters.

• Write a scene where your character is negotiating a business deal or contract.
• Write a scene where your character is navigating a politically charged situation with grace and tact.
• Write a letter or email from your character to someone they disagree with, but are trying to maintain a positive relationship with.
• Write a scene where your character is mediating a conflict between two other characters.
• Write a scene where your character is comforting someone who is upset, without taking sides or invalidating their feelings.
• Write a dialogue where your character is trying to persuade someone to see their point of view without using force or manipulation.
• Write a scene where your character is giving a speech or presentation, using their diplomatic skills to connect with and engage the audience.
• Write a scene where your character is diffusing a tense situation with humor or a well-timed joke.