Cullen - 35 dumb things well-intended people say : surprising things we say that widen the diversity gap

O ur success and future prosperity as a people and a nation is dependent on our understanding and responding to each other with wisdom and compassion. This book shows you how.

- B RIAN T RACY , author of The Psychology of Achievement and Goals!

Good intentions are not enough as Dr. Maura Cullen so skillfully points out in her book. This well written, down to earth, no blame, insightful book is a resource every one interested in developing authentic relationships across difference must have. If you ever found yourself unsure of what to say to someone different from you (and said nothing) then this book will provide you valuable tools to be more effective every day.

- J UDITH H. K ATZ , E D . D., Executive Vice President, The Kaleel Jamison Consulting Group. Inc., author of White Awareness: Handbook for Anti-Racism Training Inclusion, Breakthrough: Unleashing the Real Power of Diversity and Be BIG; Step Up, Step Out, Be Bold

Dr. Cullen is clearly the go-to expert on diversity. I was personally astounded by how many dumb things I say and how my honestly well-intended statements could potentially hurt my relationships, and credibility, with others. This is a must-read book for every student and executive in America who wants to understand what it takes to respect and work with todays diverse global workforce.

- B RENDON B URCHARD , author of The Student Leadership Guide and Lifes Golden Ticket

This is the book that explains why people get offended by many of our everyday comments and shows us practical steps to improve our effectiveness around issues of diversity. Good for students as well as faculty and staff.

- D ARYL G. S MITH , Professor of Education and Psychology, Claremont Graduate University

35 Dumb Things Well-Intended People Say provides extraordinary insight into one of the most important issues of our times, diversity. Mauras no non-sense approach stimulates conversation not stifles it.

- R ICHARD R AMOS , Latino Coalition for Faith & Community Leadership

35 Dumb Things is phenomenal in tackling diversity issues in an honest, humorous and straightforward manner. Not to read this book would be Dumb Thing #36!

- D R. A NDREA Kandel, Executive Director, National Conference for Community & Justice

O ver my twenty plus years working in nonprofits, I have taken part in many diversity training sessions and found Maura Cullens workshop to be the best. Maura uses humor and real life situations to which we can all relate.

- S USAN B. Dunn, President and CEO, United Way of the Capital Area, Hartford, CT

Having been involved in diversity efforts in the legal profession for many years, I know that diversity is a complicated and divisive issue, often rooted in emotions deep within us. Dr. Cullen has an uncanny ability to bring those emotions to the surface and challenge her participants to think about the issues in ways never thought of before. I highly recommend her creative and engaging approach to perhaps the most significant workplace issue of our time.

- A SKER A. Saeed, Esq.President, South Asian Bar Association of Connecticut

Maura Cullen does not merely train participants. She engages, motivates, and challenges them to set aside ingrained preconceptions they may have about those who are different from themselves. They come away with more than the typical training handouts. They come away with a visual and visceral experience that helps them to better understand others perspectives.

- S HARON M ANGIERI , Director of Employee Relations & Training, Office of Human Resources Western New England College, MA

Maura Cullen has demonstrated that she is truly a leader among the finest trainers/consultants on the international campus circuit today. She relates to and communicates with students so effectively, her humor and charisma hold their media-soaked attention even those disillusioned by and with political correctness.

- J ANICE R OBINSON University of British Columbia, Canada

I am a returning RA and dreaded coming to diversity training. Maura kept us engaged for an incredible five hours through her activities, stories and humor. She made diversity easy to understand without making anyone feel guilty or angry and related it to our resident assistant role. By far this is the most enjoyable diversity training I have EVER attended!