Bipartisan Leadership Project Introduction

We are not victims of the “system”. We believe Americans are not powerless in combating the divisive political conflict that often distracts and blocks action to address our real-world needs. This conflict often contaminates relationships between elected officials at all levels as well as between friends and within families – but it doesn’t have to. Conflicts in our society and in government have always been present and always will be. Conflict can be healthy, for it often produces solutions that are better than any “side” initially imagined. The challenge isn’t to get rid of conflict. The challenge for elected officials, family members, and citizens is how to embrace and manage conflict to produce constructive solutions.

The Bipartisan Leadership Project (BLP) is reducing political polarization in this country by equipping a new generation of political leaders with skills and commitment to find the common good and achieve meaningful results.

The BLP is a non-profit organization created by political activists in both parties who have seen first-hand the destruction of good public policy solutions caused by excessive partisanship. We have dedicated our experience and skills to develop the next generation of leaders who will see to it that good work gets done by finding common ground that meets the interests of different members of the community, the state – or the country.

The BLP accomplishes its mission through partnerships with universities and other organizations to offer leadership training and development based on a proven curriculum and methodology. The BLP model equips people with theories, skills, knowledge, practice, self-awareness and commitment to combat excessive partisanship, reach consensus, solve problems, and get things done.

The BLP embraces the concept of bipartisanship as cooperation and collaboration between people of opposing or differing viewpoints that demonstrates a willingness to listen, respect, understand, and work together to bridge differences and make good decisions happen. Many graduates have been elected to public office both locally and state-wide. Many have reported that they are able to do their jobs more effectively, achieving deeper engagement of people with opposing perspectives on city councils, school boards, and other public bodies – with better results. Participants demonstrate that previously entrenched partisan adults can gain new perspectives and the ability to work effectively with people holding opposing views.