Hidden Power - First Impressions - The people behind 'the people'

Really liked this article by Cari Guittard, Executive Director of Business for Diplomactic Action.
By Cari Guittard:
This week I’m obsessed with the notion of Hidden Power. Am reading Kati Marton’s most excellent book on the subject, which focuses on Presidential marriages that shaped our nation’s history. And as the wife of Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, Obama’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, what Kati has to say about hidden power should have us all taking notice.

In thinking on this notion of hidden power, I’m amazed that with all the talk since 9/11 of soft, then smart power strategies, its incredible that there’s nary a mention of the sources of hidden power in our public diplomacy efforts. And what do I mean by sources of hidden power? I would place them, initially, into two broad categories. First, the spouses of our elected officials, diplomats, military officers and executive serving here and abroad; and secondly, the administrative and executive assistants to these same officials.

During my tenure at the State Department I had the opportunity to brief thousands of our diplomats, military officers, and senior executives posted abroad on cyber security and critical infrastructure issues. On the side and partly out of my own curiosity, I began conducting briefings just for spouses and would then hold sessions just for the kids of those posted abroad. These ad hoc briefings were some of the most interesting and valuable sessions as I learned more from their assessments of life on the ground -- candid, unvarnished, and without pretense -- than I ever did from a Country Team meeting.

Further, I saw just how much informal intelligence they were constantly gathering and bridge-building they were conducting as observers and participants in the societies in which they lived. They were always on the pulse,if you will, of what was going on in a country, what the mood was on any given issue, and were always open to sharing their frustrations and concerns. Additionally, I learned a great deal from the kids who were making friends and engaging their peers in any given country. And as my briefing themes were initially built on discussing cyber-security, I loved how the kids shared with pride some of their coolest hacking and Internet tools.

No discussion of hidden power, however, would be complete without underscoring the importance and role of administrative professionals. They are the gatekeepers for our diplomats, keeping everything running and functioning when no one is looking, rarely getting any of the glory or thanks for all the efforts they undertake each and every day. When I first began work at State, a senior Foreign Service officer pulled me aside and asked me if I could identify the most important person (s) at Foggy Bottom. I immediately, as if on cue, replied “The Secretary of State, of course,” and was promptly told, “No. The first lesson you must learn and never forget is that all the power here and in our embassies rests with and flows through our Admins.” I never forgot that lesson and realize now that it is no different in the private sector. And considering that April 21 is Administrative Professionals Day, I hope we each give thanks to those gatekeepers and remember to thank them again, and again, and yet again for all they do.

Why spouses and administrative assistants aren’t engaged or leveraged in public diplomacy efforts in a strategic way is beyond me. Apart from their reservoirs of hidden power, they are an incredible on the ground resource that should be engaged and listened to on a regular basis. If we listen, we just might learn something.

Cari E. Guittard, MPA, is Executive Director of Business for Diplomatic Action and Adjunct Faculty for the MPD program, teaching Corporate Diplomacy this spring at USC. Guittard resides in San Francisco, CA.

Those loo-ney airline fees

Kate Hanni, Founder and President of FlyersRights.org, the Coalition for Airline Passengers Bill of Rights

We’ll have another great conversation with the amazing activist who founded the organization that has become the collective voice of airline passengers everywhere. The recent tarmac delay rules have been a huge victory for Kate on behalf of all of us who fly, but other unsafe and deceptive airline policies are creating major challenges in the runway ahead. We’ll talk about Spirit Airlines’ new carry-on fees and Ryanair’s plans for “Johnny on the spot” fees for use of the onboard loo. It’s high time to restore some modicum of dignity and integrity in air travel and Kate’s just the gal for the task.
http://www.traveltalkmedia.com/archives_apr18_10.html#1009

Shut up and drive

United States Congresswoman, Betsy Markey (D-Colo)

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month
in the United States.

We’ll introduce you to the lady who was responsible for spearheading the adoption of this resolution in the US Congress. We’ll learn about some really good reasons why every driver should take the “no phone zone”’ pledge including the fact that 85% of automobile accidents involve distracted drivers. Pay attention! http://www.traveltalkmedia.com/archives_apr18_10.html#1007

The incredible impact of sports tourism

Sandra Carvao, Deputy Chief, Market Trends, Competitiveness and Trade in Tourism Services, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

Tourism is a huge economic engine and become finely tuned for high-performance when large sporting events like the Olympics and World Cup come to town.  We’ll talk about the massive infrastructure projects designed and built to host and accommodate these events and, equally important, what happens to these massive venues after the final whistle blows.
http://www.traveltalkmedia.com/archives_apr18_10.html#1004

New Breezes in Buzios on TravelTalkRADIO

New Breezes in Buzios:
We just like to say it!
Luis E. Calle, Director of Marketing & Sales – Latin America for Breezes Resorts

We immediately think of Jamaica, the Caribbean and even Panama when Breezes’ all-inclusive resorts comes to mind. This time, however, we’ll head a little further south with Luis who’ll let us in on a little South American secret: Brazil boasts two of the finest resorts Breezes has to offer, Breezes Resort Costa do Sauipe and Breezes Resort & Spa Buzios (opening June, 2010). Plus, you’ll find out a really good reason why no tipping is allowed at any Breezes resort, ever. No need for a guilt trip here! http://www.traveltalkmedia.com/archives_apr18_10.html#1005

Seeing Forever

Thanks for stopping by this week. We know you have many choices and we appreciate you spending some of your valuable time with us. Our programming continues to expand and we are excited to bring on board South Fork Ranch, the one time set for the famous TV series Dallas.South Fork Ranch is a perfect venue for meetings, conferences and even weddings. You will hear more about this Forever Resorts property along with the many other Forever Resort destinations on both TravelTalkRADIO and BusinessTravelRADIO. We are proud to represent Forever Resorts, a company with fine leadership and a mission to protect nature and give back to the communities it serves. The founder, Rex Maughn, has been a guest on TravelTalkRADIO multiple times, but my favorite segment with him was a television interview we did at his Scottsdale, Arizona office a few years ago. Rex is passionate about culture, health and giving back to less fortunate communities. In 2009, Rex won the 21st Sheldon Coleman Great Outdoors Award for his tireless work in the National Parks of the United States. We are privileged to work with Rex and his amazing team at Forever Resorts. http://www.travel-forever.com

Cruise Line safety

I just read an article on aol travel about the hazards of cruising. The author mentioned Pirates, Falling over ship, viruses, collision, seasickness, rogue waves and missing the ship.

What was astonishing to me was that the author found absolutely nothing wrong with safety and security on cruise ships!

There is still a big worry that needs to be addressed and that is unreported crimes on cruise ships.

What I learned this past year was astonishing, and I hope readers will take a few minutes to get to know the facts about safety and security on cruise ships.
In a matter of months or hopefully sooner we will see a law that will mandate a different process and will upgrade ships security measures that will protect the safety of guests.

The Cruise Vessel Safety and Security Act has been opposed by the cruise industry for years, but after the valiant efforts of Senator John Kerry and Congresswoman Doris Matsui, the International Cruise Line Association has finally seen the light and agreed to support this initiative. The law is a great start in providing some much needed safety and security provisions to protect passengers. Ken Carver, President of the International Cruise Victims Association in a transcribed radio interview talks about this 6 year courageous fight to change safety and security on cruise ships.
http://www.traveltalkmedia.com/TTNewsletter_radiotranscripts_jul26_09_ken.html
You can listen to Ken's last interview on TravelTalkRADIO at: http://www.traveltalkmedia.com/archives_mar21_10.html#1004
Thanks to Ken and his determination, we might not have to worry about being a victim of crimes on cruise ships much longer.

Would love your opinion on the legislation that will most likely be approved shortly.