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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.