Q&A > Kathleen Doherty

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What inspired or motivated you to become a diplomat?

I could say that being the daughter of an immigrant and traveling and studying abroad generated my interest in becoming a diplomat. But the reality is that I took the Foreign Service test on a dare and accepted the offer because I was facing unemployment after graduate school.

Who was your best boss and why?

Bill Burns. I learned so much from him on policy and the art of diplomacy, but perhaps most of all, the way he worked with his staff. I still remember that in my first week at post in Moscow, he came to my office to welcome me. Every promotion or major achievement was recognized with a hand-written note from him. He was a true leader in every sense of the world.

What would you tell your A-100 self?

Be adventurous especially early in your career when regional experience is not all that important for a position. Looking back at my career, I wished I had served in more geographic areas.

Describe a day you felt you made a difference.

Being one of the Senior Watch Officers the day the 2004 Tsunami hit. The scale of the tragedy was unimaginable but the hard work, compassion, support of so many people was inspiring. I hope I had many days of making a difference when I was an ambassador. 

What has a colleague done for you that made you wish all of us had a colleague like that?

When I was a special assistant to the Deputy Secretary of State, I made a serious misjudgment about something. A senior bureau official called me on it, but also said that he would fix it—and if there were negative fallout, he would take the blame, noting that he could absorb it, but I, as a newly-minted 03 officer, would have more to lose. I never forgot how he stood up for me but also made sure I learned from this. 

What was the mistake you learned the most from?

The same answer as above. I assumed I knew a lot more than I did and made a serious mistake because of it. 

What was your best and worst experience working with the interagency?

Working with the intelligence and law enforcement agencies has been the most fulfilling and the most frustrating experience. Key to making the relationships work was to build trust and respect between and among colleagues from the different agencies. 

What is the one tour you would recommend FSOs consider?

A Senior Watch Officer in the Operations Center—you will learn about the Department; about leading a team in stressful situations, and so much more. 

If the state department had a mascot, what animal should it be?

I haven't a clue.

What was the biggest challenge of FS life for your family, and how did you manage it?

Missing all the important events. I made it a point to come back to the States at least once a year during a tour.

What is your leadership philosophy?

Leading with optimism and respect.

What tips would you give a first-time manager?

Acknowledge that you have a lot to learn, learn from your mistakes, and ask others for help. 

What would you change about the State Department?

The hyper-competitive nature. Too many people are focused on their promotions and own career progression. 

What were your pet peeves?

I share the sentiments of many when I say the clearance process and the bidding process. Both are models of bureaucratic inefficiency.

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