MasterClass: Madeleine Albright and Condoleezza Rice Teach Diplomacy

Secretary Rice provides context and background information for her joint class on diplomacy with the late Secretary Albright.

Madeleine Albright and Condoleezza Rice discuss their personal backstories and shared history that led them to become the first woman and first African American woman secretaries of state.

Secretary Albright shares her billiards analogy for diplomacy, Secretary Rice breaks down the mechanics of U.S. foreign policy, and both share their views on America’s role in the world.

The secretaries reveal the qualities that all good diplomats should have—whether pursuing a career in diplomacy or just looking to incorporate diplomatic skills into everyday life.

The five decades following World War II provide some of the greatest examples of modern diplomacy. From the Cold War to the expansion of NATO, the secretaries take you through the history, achievements, and lessons from this critical period.

Secretary Albright outlines the four strategic tools available to foreign-policy practitioners, and how the Kosovo war was a case study in using them.

Secretaries Albright and Rice discuss why developing relationships is a crucial diplomatic skill and share humorous anecdotes from their best relationship-building moments throughout the years.

Secretaries Albright and Rice teach the importance of respecting versus tolerating differences, the dangers of “groupthink,” and how to work civilly with people who disagree.

The interpersonal skills required for diplomacy go beyond relationship-building. In this lesson, the secretaries share stories of dealing with challenging global figures and offer tips for what to do when you are offended or caught off guard.

Secretaries Albright and Rice share their advice for being different and becoming a trailblazer. They also go deeper into how their childhoods shaped their worldviews.

Drawing on her leadership experience inside and outside of government, Secretary Rice gives practical advice for assembling and structuring teams you can trust.

Secretary Rice breaks down the three essential elements of leadership. She also shares tips for delegating, earning trust, and dealing with dissent when leading a team.

Secretaries Albright and Rice lay out the different frameworks they used when considering foreign policy and the decisions that needed to be made.

Everyone makes bad decisions. Secretary Albright discusses what went wrong in Rwanda, and her regrets about the situation. Secretary Rice shares her mistakes on 9/11 and Iraq, and offers advice on how to grow from failure.

Secretary Rice dives deep into the problem-solving behind tackling Africa’s HIV/AIDS pandemic. She also shares a personal story that exemplifies the importance of approaching crises with your instincts and personal belief system in mind.

Secretary Albright became well known for sending messages with her myriad brooches. She shares the origin story of this novel diplomatic tool and anecdotes behind some of her most famous pins.

Secretaries Albright and Rice have an open and honest conversation about the growing pains of democracy and its future in America.