Those complaining seem to be living in the 1970’s or earlier. Where communication could be difficult. Where the wrong word usage may take days or weeks to straighten out (if you believe them that this used to happen).
With email, phones, voice conferencing, and all of the other technology available almost anyone in DC can communicate with almost any peer in developed nations in minutes if needed (though not at a cocktail party unless travel is involved which is easier than in the 1970s). And if a situation needs to be bumped up all the way to Tillerson or even Trump, it can be done quick. The staff on the ground is not needed anywhere near as much as they were 50+ years ago.
Marvin Kalb wrote a book on Kissinger in the 70’s. Kissinger wanted to downsize big time.