Foreword by Laszlo Bock, the bestselling author of Work Rules! and former Senior Vice President of People Operations at Google.
An inspiring guide from Dolly Chugh, an award-winning social psychologist at the New York University Stern School of Business, on how to confront difficult issues including sexism, racism, inequality, and injustice so that you can make the world (and yourself) better.
Many of us believe in equality, diversity, and inclusion. But how do we stand up for those values in our turbulent world? The Person You Mean to Be is the smart, semi-bold person's guide to fighting for what you believe in.
Dolly reveals the surprising causes of inequality, grounded in the psychology of good people. Using her research findings in unconscious bias as well as work across psychology, sociology, economics, political science, and other disciplines, she offers practical tools to respectfully and effectively talk politics with family, to be a better colleague to people who don't look like you, and to avoid being a well-intentioned barrier to equality. Being the person we mean to be starts with a look at ourselves.
She argues that the only way to be on the right side of history is to be a good-ish-- rather than good--person. Good-ish people are always growing. Second, she helps you find your ordinary privilege--the part of your everyday identity you take for granted, such as race for a white person, sexual orientation for a straight person, gender for a man, or education for a college graduate. This part of your identity may bring blind spots, but it is your best tool for influencing change. Third, Dolly introduces the psychological reasons that make it hard for us to see the bias in and around us. She leads you from willful ignorance to willful awareness. Finally, she guides you on how, when, and whom, to engage (and not engage) in your workplaces, homes, and communities. Her science-based approach is a method any of us can put to use in all parts of our life.
Whether you are a long-time activist or new to the fight, you can start from where you are. Through the compelling stories Dolly shares and the surprising science she reports, Dolly guides each of us closer to being the person we mean to be.
About the Author :
Dr. Dolly Chugh is a Harvard-educated, award-winning social psychologist at the NYU Stern School of Business, where she is an expert in the unconscious biases and unethical behavior of ordinary, good people. In her real life, she is trying just as hard as everyone else to be the person she means to be.
Soneela Nankani, an Earphones Award-winning narrator, is a classically trained actress, voice-over artist, and singer who has had roles in film and on television. She has worked with the award-winning Sojourn Theatre, Classical Theatre of Harlem, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and the Kansas City Repertory Theatre.
Laszlo Bock leads Google's people function, responsible for attracting, developing, retaining, and delighting Googlers. His earlier experience spans executive roles at the General Electric Company, management consulting at McKinsey & Company, start-ups, nonprofits, and acting. During his tenure, Google has been named Best Company to Work for more than thirty times around the world and received over a hundred awards as an employer of choice. In 2010 Bock was named Human Resources Executive of the Year by Human Resources Executive magazine.
Review :
Chugh, an associate professor at the NYU Stern School of Business, offers practical advice on being aware of bias, diversity, oppression, and privilege, and on acting intentionally on that awareness in everyday life.
-- "Publishers Weekly"
Chugh, author and award-winning social psychologist at the New York University Stern School of Business, takes readers on a journey of self-discovery in bias awareness.
-- "Booklist"
Chugh's warm tone, foregrounded humility, and encouraging style facilitate but don't minimize the work...A timely, high-level book that will benefit and appeal to those who want to use their privilege to work toward equity and justice.
-- "Library Journal"
Dolly Chugh applies the power of a growth mindset to work on equity and inclusion at a time when it is much needed. The Person You Mean to Be is essential reading.
-- "Carol Dweck, author of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success"
Finally, an engaging, evidence-based book about how to battle biases, champion diversity and inclusion, and advocate for those who lack power and privilege. Dolly Chugh makes a convincing case that being an ally isn't about being a good person-it's about constantly striving to be a better person.
-- "Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author"
This is a book for anyone who thinks of themselves as a pretty decent human being but who knows, deep in their heart, they could be better. A cocktail of stories and science that gets you thinking and, more important, gets you acting.
-- "Angela Duckworth, founder and CEO of Character Lab, and author of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance"
