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NCBI: THE LEADERSHIP
PRINCIPLES*
NCBI”s
approach to leadership and diversity training relies on the following
principles:
"Guilt
is the glue that holds prejudice in place!"
When people feel bad about themselves they do not have the courage to
make constructive changes. Similarly, blaming people for their
prejudicial attitudes only increases defensiveness, making it harder
for people to take an honest look at the negative attitudes that they
have acquired. NCBI takes a different approach. We treat
every person
with respect. We have learned that when we are generous, mindful of
each person’s dignity, we can effect change much more rapidly than if
we employed confrontational methods.
“Everyone
and every group counts.”
NCBI
stresses that every individual is important. As a result, we
address a wide range of diversity issues in the course of our programs,
including race, ethnicity, gender, social class, age, sexual
orientation, religion, disability, job, and life circumstance. We
make
sure that diversity work includes everyone.
“
To shift attitudes, hear stories!”
At
the heart of many NCBI programs is the opportunity to tell and to
listen to personal stories of discrimination and mistreatment.
These
stories have the power to impart a new perspective on the devastating
impact of bigotry. Moved by the stories, many people make a renewed
commitment to become more effective allies for each other.
“Skill-training
leads to empowerment”.
NCBI
equips people with practical skills for taking on prejudicial behavior.
For example, we teach people how they might shift the attitude of
someone who has made an oppressive joke, remark, or slur.
“Ending
oppression also means ending leadership oppression.”
Leaders
deserve encouragement and support. NCBI trains leaders to take care of
themselves so they can continue to lead. NCBI teaches leaders how to
build an effective support team and how to respond effectively to
leadership attacks.”
“Healing
leads to action.”
NCBI
uses a consistent, healing methodology that encourages leaders, with
the close support of team members, to work courageously through their
own struggles. Knowing that they do not have to face challenges
in
isolation, leaders can take bold steps to make a difference in their
communities.
*From "Healing Into Action: A Leadership Guide for Creating Diverse
Communities", by Cherie R. Brown & George J. Mazza, NCBI
Washington DC, 1997. Copies available from NCBI-Illinois and NCBI
International. |
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