Phil McAuliffe
The Lonely Diplomat: on competition
Our diplomatic lives can be dominated by competition. What can this do to us?
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Get me in your corner through my 1-on-1 mentoring services
Phil McAuliffe
- Nov 2, 2019
- 11 min
On being gay and living a diplomatic life
Let's explore what can it mean to be a same-sex couple who is living their diplomatic life.
Phil McAuliffe
- Oct 5, 2019
- 8 min
Loneliness and the absence of real connection
Loneliness often gets confused with being alone, but they're very different. Read Vaughan Carder's reflections on loneliness he shar
Phil McAuliffe
- Sep 7, 2019
- 8 min
The Lonely Diplomat: on what people think
'What will people think?' Few questions have stopped as many good ideas and suggestions. Let's explore this some more.
Phil McAuliffe
- Aug 10, 2019
- 11 min
The Lonely Diplomat: on burnout
Stories of burnout are ubiquitous. Let's explore how burnout can affect diplomats and those living the diplomatic life.
Phil McAuliffe
- Jul 20, 2019
- 5 min
The Lonely Diplomat: on being interesting
Let's explore how we diplomats and those living the diplomatic life cope with being interesting to other governments and how these copin
Phil McAuliffe
- Jul 6, 2019
- 8 min
On leaving diplomacy
You may be feeling that it's time to leave the diplomatic world and try something else. But what could you do? Where do you start? Read
Phil McAuliffe
- Jun 23, 2019
- 9 min
The Lonely Diplomat: on friendship
Friendships are a vital source of human connection. This post explores the challenges of making and keeping friends when living the diplomat
Phil McAuliffe
- Jun 9, 2019
- 10 min
On being a male diplomatic spouse
This post explores issues of disconnection, loss of career progression and the isolation experienced by some male diplomatic spouses.
Phil McAuliffe
- May 26, 2019
- 7 min
The Lonely Diplomat: on mid-life crises
The thoughts and feelings that herald a mid-life crisis can strike you where you are, whoever you are. It's tempting to ignore them, but
Phil McAuliffe
- May 12, 2019
- 7 min
The Lonely Diplomat: an invitation to our bosses
I write these words because I'm worried. I write these words to you to start a kind and honest conversation about how we can work togeth
Phil McAuliffe
- Apr 28, 2019
- 9 min
'Finally, I can eat garlic!' Life as a diplomat's daughter
How can growing up as the child of a diplomat affect how our children view themselves and their world?
Phil McAuliffe
- Apr 14, 2019
- 10 min
The Lonely Diplomat: on resilience - part 2
Let's talk about the 'big' resilience and
'little' resilience we need to do our jobs, shall we?
Phil McAuliffe
- Mar 31, 2019
- 10 min
The Lonely Diplomat: on fitness
We must have some physical movement in our days so we remain physically, emotionally and mentally healthy and connected to ourselves. Can we
Phil McAuliffe
- Mar 17, 2019
- 9 min
The Lonely Diplomat: on home
Having many places to call home as a diplomat is both a blessing and a curse. It tests our resilience and our connection with others. Where,
Phil McAuliffe
- Mar 3, 2019
- 9 min
The Lonely Diplomat: on the stories we tell ourselves
We are all fantastic story creators. The stories we tell ourselves can become our truths. They are powerful. We accept them as fact. They ca
Georgie Ryan
- Feb 17, 2019
- 12 min
Diplomatic spouses of the world, unite!
"Call me a trailing spouse and I will politely put you in a headlock and rearrange your pretty diplomat face"
Phil McAuliffe
- Feb 3, 2019
- 10 min
Always being 'on'
It's a fact that we're never 'off' when
on a diplomatic posting. This is very damaging to your health and well-being
Phil McAuliffe
- Jan 20, 2019
- 14 min
On loneliness
Hi, my name's Phil and I'm the Lonely Diplomat. This is my story of my descent into loneliness and my way back.
Phil McAuliffe
- Jan 6, 2019
- 9 min
Say what you mean. Mean what you say.
Stop being diplomatic. Sometimes you actually need to say what you mean and mean what you say.
Phil McAuliffe
- Dec 16, 2018
- 9 min
The Lonely Diplomat: on Christmas
It is the season of goodwill to all and a time to be with family and friends. What is it about the festive season that can have us feeling h
Phil McAuliffe
- Dec 2, 2018
- 9 min
Stop glorifying exhaustion
Might there be more to that exhaustion you're feeling? There's a strong link between exhaustion and burnout with loneliness
Phil McAuliffe
- Nov 18, 2018
- 8 min
Why are you so scared?
Why are you scared of not pleasing people? When did you become so scared? What would you do if you weren't scared?
Phil McAuliffe
- Nov 4, 2018
- 7 min
On competitive stories
We diplomats can be compulsive and competitive story-tellers when we get together. Why is this?
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