Madeleine Albright - Diplomacy is not about getting your way, but about listening to others and finding common ground

the Daily Quote

Welcome to The Daily Quote – a podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I’m your host, Andrew McGivern, and today is October 7th.

Today is International Day of Peaceful Communication. It’s a day to reflect on how we use our words and whether we’re really communicating to understand—or just to win the argument. If you’ve ever found yourself rehearsing a comeback in the shower hours after a conversation... well, this day is probably for you.

In honor of that, today’s quote comes from former U.S. Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, who once said:

"Diplomacy is not about getting your way, but about listening to others and finding common ground."

Albright, known for her skillful negotiations, understood that diplomacy—whether between nations or individuals—isn’t about steamrolling over someone else’s perspective. It’s about finding solutions that make both parties feel heard and respected.

In a world where peaceful communication often seems like a lost art, this quote is a reminder that true progress happens when we stop talking at each other and start talking with each other.

And right now there are several conflicts in the world that are escalating and close to erupting into something nobody wants. There are no winners in war and even if your side is victorious the price is almost always too high if it could have been avoided.

Remember the Mahatma Gandhi quote from a few days ago...

An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.

The only winner in war is the bullet sales person.

So, on this International Day of Peaceful Communication, maybe take a moment to consider how often you’re really listening in your conversations. Because as Albright’s words suggest, it’s not always about getting your way—it’s about finding a way that works for everyone.

And if you find yourself in a 'war' ask yourself if the price of winning is worth the battle. And did you do your best to avoid it in the first place.

Thanks for joining me on The Daily Quote. I'm Andrew McGivern signing off. Until next time, remember, sometimes the most powerful thing you can say is... nothing at all.

I'll see you tomorrow for another Daily Quote.