We all want to be good people—ethical, fair, and unbiased. But what happens when our desire to be “good” gets in the way of actually improving?
Psychologist and NYU professor Dolly Chugh tackles this powerful question in her TED Talk and recent interview on NPR’s TED Radio Hour. She argues that the pursuit of being a “good person” often leads us to defensiveness, self-justification, and stagnation. Instead, she proposes a more honest and growth-oriented mindset: becoming “good-ish.”
What does “good-ish” mean?
It’s not about lowering standards. It’s about admitting we’re works in progress—people willing to examine our blind spots, learn from feedback, and adjust our behaviors. It’s about shifting from a fixed identity (“I am a good person”) to a growth identity (“I want to be better”).
Why it matters at Innova
Whether we’re working on a job site or developing the next big idea in transportation infrastructure, the “good-ish” mindset helps us stay curious, accountable, and collaborative. When we admit we don’t have all the answers, we create space for innovation, stronger relationships, and trust.
As Chugh reminds us: “When we are good-ish, we are brave enough to see the gap between our values and our actions — and humble enough to do something about it.”
Let’s keep striving—not for perfection, but for progress.
NPR’s TED Radio Hour – https://www.npr.org/2025/04/04/g-s1-58005/why-its-so-hard-to-live-up-to-your-idea-of-a-good-person
Carlos Banchik, P.E.
Chair