http://www.celebrating-humanity-projects.com/articlelive en-us http://www.celebrating-humanity-projects.com/articlelive N/A brian@africa-dreams.com Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:26:23 CDT 20 http://www.celebrating-humanity-projects.com/articlelive/articles/12/1/Transforming-Bullies-by-changing-the-environment I read, with great interest, an excellent article on bullying in the Detroit News by Iris Salters - April 27, 2006. http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060428/OPINION03/604280302/1008/OPINION01 Her points are very valid and action definitely needs to be taken, to stop bullying. We have had experience with the reduction of racism, prejudice and bullying, particularly in the workplace and to a lesser extent, in schools.One of the biggest challenges with bullying is that those most affected are rendered powerless, by their environment. Currently bullies are supposedly "disciplined or managed" by teachers, or workplace managers - according to organisational rules. Their victims very seldom have any say, in their own lives. They are actually set up to be victimized, by the existing system.Put more simply, the bullies currently control their own agendas, their playing fields and their victims; the organisation/ school controls the rules; and the abused are, to a great degree, powerless. They have no say and are often fearful, or too ashamed to tell the "authorities" of their challenges. This causes incredible fear and frustration - and can lead to uncharacteristic acts of violence and even murder. And it gets worse when those whose role is to protect, are also bullies. Whilst visiting a high school we observed 3 different incidents of bullying. We watched the Dean, verbally bully a student; we heard a rude power-play between a teacher and a student - both used bullying tactics to "win"; and we observed a senior teacher browbeating a junior teacher. All of the incidents were unnecessary and totally unprofessional.In that particular school, there is an "accepted" set of school values. There are rules in place, to stop bullying. Yet the very people, whom the rules were designed to protect, are powerless. And the keepers of the "peace", were actually creating a bullying environment through their own actions. And, by their example, training the bullies of the future!The only way that bullying will ever be stopped is when all of the role players, in the school/ organisation, design and develop the rules, and together manage these agreements.In a school, everyone from the governing body, dean, suppliers, parents, learners, teacher to the support and services team - would fall below the level of the "law." And the rules would be created and applied, by all of them. All role players must decide on the behaviours/ actions that they want, and on those behaviours/ actions that are not acceptable. They then jointly manage each individual's behaviour, in regular meetings. For example, based on their chosen rules, the dean may be guided by his students; and the bullies would be guided, or disciplined, through the inputs of their peers. The system becomes far more powerful, when each person is helped to aspire to greater dreams and goals and is supported, in their aspirations, by the majority. And when all role players encourage each other, and are encouraged, to achieve their full potential, including the "bullies." Here dream groups can work together, to create their own futures. There should be 2 sets of Values/ Behaviours/ Actions in any organisation: 1) Organisational Values - developed and managed by the organisation, in any way that they see fit. 2) Interpersonal Values, where both the behaviours/ actions/ values, that we must aspire to and those that we will not accept, are listed as Yes Values and No Values. These are developed and managed by those affected by them. As an example:- Yes Values, should be limited to 5, and could include:- 1) Open and Clear Communication 2) Support for Dreams and Goals 3) Respect for others, including similar and differing race, religion, gender, talent, ability, ages, choice, aspiration, level, grade, language, ancestry, financial status. 4) Creating a safe and caring environment, for self and others. 5) Protection of the fundamental rights of all to have a proper learning environment. No Values, also limited to 5, could include: 1) No Backbiting and Gossiping 2) No Victimization or Bullying, in any form. 3) No Foul Language 4) No inappropriate transmission through any media, in any form. Each group, class, or team will have different challenges and will choose their code of conduct, based on those challenges. Managing Workplace Diversity and Managing Cultural Diversity in the Workplace.In the workplace, the basic process is similar. Everyone from the Directors to the workforce, formulate and manage their own team code of conduct. Each team/ department would set their parameters, as the challenges would vary by the team. At this point everyone has much more control over their own lives and destinies, and the power of the bully is greatly diminished. In our experience, the worst of them  will either change, or go somewhere else.We have had many wonderful successes in South Africa and elsewhere, where racism, prejudice and bullying in the workplace - can still cause great turmoil. We have seen powerful and positive changes that come from empowering people and giving them control over their own day-to-day lives. The Celebrating Humanity program also builds confident and successful  leaders of tomorrow. Best wishes,Brian Moore - Managing DirectorMthimkhulu International - Diversity & Management Training and Transformational Team-building Specialists"At the level of Respect all people are Equal."415 Bartle Road, Durban, 4001 - South AfricaE-mail: trainers@iafrica.com Tel: +27 31 2053668 (International & KZN - RSA)Tel: +27 11 965 0065 (Gauteng - RSA)Tel: +27 21 4616125 (W Cape - RSA)Fax: +27 (0)31 205 1364 Mobile: +27 (0)82 774 5521Fax to e-mail: +27 (0)86 674 6310)(Have Passports and will Travel!)Web Sites:http://www.celebrating-humanity-projects.com http://www.celebrating-humanity-projects.com/articlelive/http://www.africa-dreams.com   http://www.emotional-freedom-now.com http://www.diversity-in-the-workplace.com Brian Moore Fri, 28 Apr 2006 00:00:00 CDT