Urban Diplomat Gifts

'And I bet the same resolution principles would work in your neighborhood conflicts.'

'Surely you wouldn't want me to laugh at your joke if I didn't think it was funny!'

"Can I savor this for a few moments? The ball's never been in my court before!"

"'I don't want war'. . . well, wither our translation program is broke or this president has a strange kind of humor!"

"Whenever he shows up everything turns to crap!"

"They decided giving out pink slips was too impersonal. So now they're blue."

"Be patient. He'll have to visit the water cooler sooner or later."

"Well, it looks like the merger is off."

"I need to see your budget proposal."

Inclusive speech

"We can waste time and look for a solution or...just find a scapegoat?"

'Hey, look, I can stand up and shout, too!'

Israel/Palestine Conflict

'The toughest things you have to deal with in this job, is feelings and lawyers.'

'I am willing to concede that the company has been underperforming of late...'

"That's the last time I'm going to allow politics to be discussed in the office."

"I just want you to know that promotion, this office, and those Luna bars were mine!"

'You really want that promotion, don't you, Sherman?'

Tug of Negotiation and Conciliation.

"Lost my job. But I'm pretty sure it's around here somewhere."

'I went into that meeting with a hidden agenda and then forgot where I put it.'

"You are being overly-defensive again, Brenda!"

'Here's another one that'll make you blow your stack.'

Career Choices

"It looks like the 'because I say so' has it."

'To close the deal, I had to make some minor concessions.'

'Would you be interested in attending a stress management seminar?'

'Congratulations Smith, you got that promotion. Commiserations Reid, you got that demotion.'

"I was going to have my people call his people, but I’m pretty sure his people have Caller I.D."

'You lack the expertise we're looking for, Mr Wheaton - but darn it, I like your attitude.'

"How come you always take Amnesty International's side?"

"If I can't get a firm decision, I'd accept a wobbly acquiescence."

HR - Helping Relationships

Office meeting

"When I said to convince him of the need for change I was hoping you'd use the seductive power of reason and logic."