Confidence

Tis Sir Guestling and Sir Guestling is the name.
Now I am, some would say, not a modest man, I have an inflated view of my own importance. There maybe some truth to that but I would point out that these are traits that are misinterpreted and are really just confidence. When one is in the diplomacy business, it behoves a person to behave and act as though one is in full charge of what one is doing. There might be flapping going on below the water line but above it must be calm, clear and confident. I have always been confident or able to radiate it even if inside I am bricking it! Over time you become what you portray and experience teaches you how to handle given situations.
Let me give you an example.
In Paris at my last posting as Ambassador, I received a message from the foreign office asking me to meet with the French fisheries control. Now I freely admit I knew and know little about big offshore fishing, trawlers and all that but there is no way I would go into such a conference without having the basic facts. The French, naturally, wanted their quotas increased the UK did not. My task was to stall their progress so as Britain could protect our own position. Partners in Europe we maybe but self-interest does not disappear and at the time there was a bit of a fuss over the state of  the fishing industry in the UK and jobs were being lost, communities affected.
The French representatives were not chuffed about meeting the British Ambassador, they wanted to meet with the ministry and get things moving. The key to meeting with representatives of any industry is to learn enough to get you by but not to much as to appear an expert. You fill in the blanks by nodding sagely  and picking up cues from what you are being told. It also helps to have a Pomfrey in the room standing silently in the background.
The French are all quiet charm when they first meet with you if the agenda progresses they way they wish they remain polite and soft spoken but if things do not go their way things can get quite heated with galic charm disappearing rapidly, arms begin to gesticulate, fingers wag and shoulders shrugging!
There were five delegates, all men. Sure enough the discussion got off to a gentle start everyone cordial and polite but then when it became obvious that things were not progressing to their liking, the heat turned up and demands were made, the volume rose and the body language became more animated . A Mr Labern, who seemed to be in charge was the most vocal on their objective, which was to open immediate talks with the British fisheries agency. I sat quietly, a serious expression on my visage, as they made these points, got Pomfrey to replenish any refreshments and sat back until the storm of rhetoric calmed. I doubt if I can recall all that was said, my french is ok and their mixture of it with English was a little confusing but that was not the point, I had a job and whatever they proposed, I was going to do it. When they finally settled down Mr Labern looked at me and said
Well Mr Ambassador what do you propose to do?
I cogitated for a moment stroked my beard, took a sip of tea, looked him straight in the eye and replied
Sir, I take on board all you have said and it is obvious that you feel strongly about your position, you have given me plenty to think about and as I am sure you would expect I must now consult with my government to impress upon them the earnestness of your case. Once I have done this I promise you I will inform you in of their decision and that I will endeavour to do this as fast as possible, through the appropriate channels. I think therefore this meeting is concluded, may I thank you for your attendance, your well presented points and I am sure we talk again very soon. Pomfrey would you be so kind as to show these gentleman out?
Five slightly bewildered Frenchman rose and I shook each of their hands as Pomfrey showed them out.
Mission accomplished.
Confident, firm diplomacy the English way!