Beyond Diplomacy: Four Lessons from Michel Deelen at the Meet the Leader Series

Global Shapers Lagos seats at the table with the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for an evening of conversations on diplomacy, leadership and institutional change.

What does diplomacy really look like beyond official meetings, international engagements and public appearances? What does it take to create lasting change in complex institutional environments? And how can young professionals better understand the realities of international affairs?

These were among the questions explored at the latest edition of the Meet the Leader (MTL) Series, hosted by the Global Shapers Community Lagos Hub

Members of the community had the privilege of being welcomed by Michel Deelen, Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Lagos, at his residence for an evening of candid conversations and knowledge exchange. The gathering was particularly special as it took place during one of the Consul General’s final evenings in Lagos before he begins his next chapter as Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Beyond the conversations around leadership, career transitions, resilience, global collaboration and Nigeria’s future, Michel shared perspectives that offered a closer look at the realities of diplomacy and the work involved in driving sustainable change.

Four Takeaways from the Conversation

1. Diplomacy is more than the glamour.

“Diplomacy isn’t just glamour; it is navigating complex, unglamorous bureaucratic hurdles.”

Behind the formal receptions, international engagements and high-level meetings lies the less visible work of navigating institutions, managing competing interests and working through complex administrative processes. Understanding diplomacy means appreciating both its public-facing responsibilities and the difficult work that happens behind the scenes.

2. Sustainable change requires local ownership.

“External partners can contribute resources, access and support, but sustainable institutional change requires local legitimacy and ownership.”

International partnerships can open doors and provide valuable resources, but lasting progress depends on the people and institutions closest to the issues. External support can strengthen local efforts, but it cannot replace the ownership and commitment required to sustain change.

3. Impact is not always visible.

“True professional impact is often found in the essential behind-the-scenes work rather than the public-facing image of the job.”

A meaningful career is not necessarily defined by visibility or recognition. Much of the work that keeps institutions functioning, relationships growing and initiatives progressing happens away from the spotlight. For young professionals, this is a reminder to value substance, consistency and contribution over appearances.

4. Understand a system before attempting to change it.

“Do not diagnose a system from a distance. Go out, speak to the people living with it, and allow what you learn to change the framework.”

Effective solutions begin with listening. Whether working in development, diplomacy, public policy or community engagement, understanding people’s lived experiences is essential. Rather than imposing assumptions, meaningful change requires engaging the people affected, learning from their realities and adapting solutions accordingly.

Creating Spaces for Learning and Exchange

The Meet the Leader Series is an initiative of the Global Shapers Community, under the World Economic Forum, that creates opportunities for young people to engage directly with leaders, ask difficult questions, exchange perspectives and learn from their experiences.

For Global Shapers Lagos, the series reinforces the importance of making leadership conversations accessible and creating spaces where young people can develop a deeper understanding of the institutions, decisions and relationships shaping their world.

We appreciate Michel Deelen for opening his home to our community and sharing his experiences so candidly. We also extend our gratitude to the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Lagos, the Global Shapers Community and the World Economic Forum for supporting platforms that make these exchanges possible.

Some conversations leave you with more than answers; they change the questions you ask and how you approach the work ahead.