To bring into perspective about a life of an statesman with independence of academic scholar provides a lot of flexibility to propose and move forward with different ideology of interest as long as the traction to go ahead with the plan can be achieved.
One of the example of the 21st century of this class of people is Jean Monnet.
Never trained to be a diplomat, he was instrumental in creation of European Union linking UK (Churchill) with the rest of European countries. So, how its possible for a local businessman to enter into a distinctly secretive arena of diplomatic relations.
Well, it comes with his experience of being exposed to multiple countries, cultures, working through business expansion, visits in his family business. Well, if you don't have that option to start your career to be a academic scholar- Diplomat with enough pull to lead the country or work on certain policy, well you need exposure to multiple country and organizations through work at various capacities.
On the other hand, so as to make the people or international players to believe in you, you should also have the courage to gain the credential as an independent thinker in an grey area between academic scholar and state agenda driven diplomat. This can be full filled by a degree in philosophy, international relation, or economics expanding a horizon of understanding preferably from a country different from birthplace.
As I call it, pragmatist diplomat can be a very niche segment in the whole of international arena where one can pursue independent life for pushing reforms or changing status quo in international political arena.
