Introduction

Dolly Chugh’s “The Person You Mean to Be: How Good People Fight Bias” is a compelling guide for those seeking to recognize and combat their own unconscious biases and strive towards greater inclusivity. Chugh, a social psychologist and associate professor at NYU Stern, combines personal anecdotes, scientific research, and practical advice to help readers become “builders,” rather than mere “believers” in equality and fairness.

Key Point: Good people often struggle to recognize their own biases.
– Example: Chugh introduces the concept of “bounded ethicality,” where people fail to see the ethical implications of their actions due to cognitive limitations.
– Action: Start actively seeking feedback from diverse sources to uncover blind spots. This can be from colleagues of different backgrounds or via structured programs like 360-degree reviews.

Key Point: Intentions alone don’t make one inclusive; actions do.
– Example: The story of entrepreneur Justin who realizes despite his progressive views, he’s never actually mentored women in his industry.
– Action: Commit to measurable actions like mentorship programs specifically aimed at underrepresented groups.

Key Point: Focus on personal growth instead of being better than others.
– Example: Chugh discusses how comparing oneself to others can lead to feeling superior or inferior, neither of which encourage growth.
– Action: Keep a journal to track your progress in recognizing and addressing biases, setting specific goals for improvement.

Key Point: Belonging is crucial for fostering an inclusive environment.
– Example: The case of a Hispanic female executive who became more effective once her workplace embraced diverse cultural expressions.
– Action: Create avenues for employees to share their cultural experiences and stories, fostering an environment of open dialogue and mutual respect.

Key Point: Defensiveness blocks personal growth in understanding biases.
– Example: Chugh describes a situation where a manager becomes defensive when confronted about gender biases, eventually learning to listen and change.
– Action: Practice active listening and empathy exercises, such as repeating back what a person has said to you during difficult conversations to ensure understanding.

Key Point: Small, consistent actions have significant cumulative effects.
– Example: Implementing brief but regular check-in meetings to discuss diversity and inclusion topics helped a tech company shift its culture gradually.
– Action: Introduce short, weekly discussions or reflections on diversity topics during team meetings to keep the conversation ongoing and evolving.

Key Point: Identify role models who exhibit the values you aspire to.
– Example: Chugh uses the example of Mahatma Gandhi and his commitment to personal ethics as an inspiration for others.
– Action: Find and follow mentors or public figures whose approach to diversity and inclusion resonates with you and model your actions consciously after theirs.

Key Point: Proactive inclusion efforts lead to more inclusive environments.
– Example: A teacher who actively encouraged diverse perspectives saw increased participation and creativity in her classroom.
– Action: Incorporate diverse voices by seeking out opinions from different groups, ensuring diverse panels for conferences or meetings.

Key Point: High-pressure situations reveal true biases.
– Example: Chugh shares the experience of a police officer who made split-second decisions that reflected underlying racial biases, leading him to undergo bias training.
– Action: Prepare for high-pressure situations through rigorous bias training, scenario planning, and regular reflection exercises to mitigate snap-judgment biases.

Key Point: The path to becoming inclusive is ongoing and requires constant effort.
– Example: Chugh recounts her personal anecdotes of ongoing effort and learning in her journey.
– Action: Embrace lifelong learning by attending workshops, reading widely on diversity topics, and continuously seeking out new resources to advance your understanding and actions.

Dolly Chugh’s “The Person You Mean to Be: How Good People Fight Bias” is a robust manual for anyone seeking to take actionable steps towards fostering diversity and inclusion in their lives and workplaces. By combining empirical research with relatable stories, Chugh effectively illustrates that good intentions must be paired with concrete, consistent actions to create meaningful change. Recognizing our own biases, seeking feedback, practicing active listening, addressing small wins, and embracing continuous learning are all critical steps in this ongoing journey.