Q&A > Lew Lukens

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What inspired or motivated you to become a diplomat?

I grew up as a FS brat, and always loved the idea of moving and learning about new countries and cultures every few years, all in the name of public service.

Who was your best boss and why?

I had some great bosses—career and non-career. What they had in common was the practice of empowering and trusting their subordinates—a lesson that I took with me as I rose in the ranks.

What would you tell your a-100 self?

Be patient! There will be times in your career where you seem to be progressing slowly or the job seems to become too routine. Savor the moment because things always pick up and you’ll look back in 30 years and wonder where the time went.

Describe a day you felt you made a difference.

As S/ES-EX Director I flew Secretary Clinton into Haiti after the devastating earthquake in January 2010. We were able to take about 20 Haitian-Americans back to the US with us on the Air Force blue and white 757. The looks on their faces when they boarded and realized they were flying to the US with Hillary Clinton were priceless.

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

Too many examples.

What was the mistake you learned the most from?

As a mid-level officer I was assigned to an onward assignment overseas, then was recruited for a job back in DC. The person who recruited me said he would handle all the assignment/paneling pieces, but I found out years later that he never spoke with the losing bureau. I should have reached out to them directly. They were still angry years later.

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

Best interagency experience—country team at every embassy where I have served. Worst—interagency meetings in DC.

What is the one tour you would recommend FSOs consider?

Any 7th floor tour, but especially in the Executive Secretariat. Those jobs pay dividends for years, in contacts and in knowing how the building works.

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

A dog. Obviously.

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

Uprooting a 14-year-old after three very happy years in a great school. Hard to explain and tough emotionally to adjust. Not sure I did manage it well.

What is your leadership philosophy?

Trust and empower those around you. The FS really is the best and brightest. No point in surrounding yourself with great people if you aren’t going to let them do their jobs without micromanaging or second-guessing.

What tips would you give a first-time manager?

See leadership philosophy. Though for first time managers, trust but verify.

What would you change about the State Department?

The usual—less red tape, more flexibility.

What were your pet peeves?

Too much bureaucracy, not nimble enough.

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