I am not a heavy consumer of television series. However, productions related to politics, power, and strategy typically capture my attention. Shows like The West Wing or House of Cards became healthy obsessions for me in the past. Recently, The Diplomat has joined that list. If you enjoy plots involving dilemmas, negotiations, and masterclasses in communication, you should definitely not miss this show.
Every viewer focuses on different characters. While I typically resonate with auxiliary roles—such as the Deputy Chief of Mission in this series—this time I found myself drawn to the main character, Kate Wyler.
I will avoid spoilers for those who have not seen it, but I want to share three relevant processes she undergoes during the first two seasons. These are experiences that many leaders face in their careers within the corporate world.
The Three Dimensions of Trust
When Kate Wyler arrives at her new position, she must navigate trust in three distinct directions. This is a common hurdle for professionals moving up the corporate ladder or changing companies.
- Trusting Successors: She must trust that others will perform her previous job as well as she did. She initially struggles to delegate and stay focused on her new responsibilities.
- Earning Authority: Her new peers and subordinates do not immediately trust her. She must earn her authority by delivering consistent performance and showing strong leadership.
- Internal Insecurity: There is a third layer of trust, this time to herself, involving her husband, though sharing more about that would lead into spoiler territory.
Embracing Full Growth
In her new role, there are aspects Kate Wyler loves, particularly the significant impact she can have as a leader. However, there are many elements she dislikes, such as public speaking, delivering positive feedback, or dressing colourfully in events.
Initially, she believes she can succeed without changing these habits. She soon realizes that she must embrace these challenges as part of her growth process. When you accept a new role, you must accept it in full, and it is important to have the full picture before moving on. You cannot simply choose the parts you enjoy and ignore the rest. Growth requires stepping into the uncomfortable.
The Burden of the Visible Leader
There is a key moment in the series where a character faces potential termination for crossing professional (and legal) boundaries. A character comments:
“Somebody is going to get fired for this. It is either the Ambassador or it is me. And it cannot be the Ambassador because she is a representative of the United States.”
While the corporate world might operate differently regarding termination, the principle of representation remains the same. Leaders represent a team and a company. Because of this, they must maintain a clean and credible image. Supporting a leader is about providing them with the correct input so they can use it effectively to benefit the entire organization. The better a leader performs, the better for the organization, and for the team.
Have you watched The Diplomat yet? I would love to read your comments or any other similar recommendations.
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