Am I a Good Person?
Bryan Yager
My passion is helping leaders, teams and organizations achieve results and expand their capacity for growth and success.
First a quote: “Bad people doing bad things is not interesting. What I find interesting is good people doing bad things.” – Amy Bloom
Hello and happy Monday,
Are you a good person? Am I a good person?
For me, this is akin to asking a group of people if they are “better than average” drivers. Believe me, when I ask this question in workshops, almost everyone (almost always) sees themselves to be “above average” as drivers.
If you understand basic math, you know it is not possible for 100% of us to be “above average.” Yet, it is a rare person who describes themselves as being “below average” as a driver.
I’m proposing the same would be true if we asked people if they see themselves as being a “good person.” Who doesn’t like to see themselves as a being a good person, who may occasionally do bad things? Who doesn't want others to see us as good people?
If you asked me if I were a good person, my mind would instantly race to find a myriad of examples that I could use as evidence of my obvious qualities of goodness. For instance, I might quickly rattle off:
However, I also know my subconscious mind is capable of incredible levels of self-deception about a more accurate truth… I am not nearly as “good” as I would like to think I am or, would like for others to perceive I am. (See suggested book title below.) For instance:
How about you?
If you want to see examples of this phenomenon in action, simply spend a few minutes on any social media platform and look at what seemingly “good people” are posting, liking, and/or sharing.
Why is it that so many “good people” are posting or promoting divisiveness, vitriol, and ugliness?
Why is it that so many “good people” who might talk about the importance of loving others one day, have no problem role modeling something very different another day.
Even the best among us sometimes makes poor choices, leaving others to wonder, “How could they do that?” or “Why would they say or post that?” or “Gosh, that is so unlike them.”
Human behavior is complex! Even fundamentally good people can act in ways that are contrary to their professed beliefs and values. Here are four possible explanations of these behaviors for your consideration:
1. Stress and Pressure – High-pressure situations (like during our current election environment) can narrow our focus to one of self-preservation, leading to actions we wouldn’t ordinarily take. Instead of being at our best, we tend to be at our worst. For example, an exhausted parent might lash out at a child not because they are cruel, but because their emotional resources are running on empty.
2. Group Influence and Peer Pressure – Social dynamics can heavily influence our behavior. People tend to conform to the norms of a given group, even if it means compromising their values and/or principles. Fear tends to be a detrimental emotion for most of us.
3. Emotional Triggers – Anger, fear, jealousy, and/or insecurity can cloud our judgement and lead to regrettable actions. By far, most of the political ads running today tend to be negative or fear-based and intended to drive emotional responses. All of us are vulnerable to emotions that can drive rationalization and justification for inappropriate reactions and responses.
4. Moral Licensing – People who perceive themselves as “good” might unconsciously feel they’ve earned the right to bend the rules. This phenomenon, known as moral licensing, suggests that after doing good deeds, people may give themselves permission to act or speak poorly, believing their past actions will justify their poor behaviors.
(There are many other possible explanations for our "less than desirable" behaviors including phenomena Group Think and Cognitive Dissonance. Only time for four items today. Plenty to think about for sure.)
Reflecting on my own personal behavior, I'm easily guilty of numbers 1, 3, & 4 in the last week.
How about you?
My parents used to say, “Don’t let the poor behaviors of others be a reason for poor behavior on our part.”
With approximately two weeks to go until election day, I encourage all of us to focus on being our "best selves” in the days and weeks ahead.
Everyone can make a difference, and everyone should try.
Related Resources:
How will you live, love, or lead differently, or better, this week?
Sincerely,
Bryan Yager
“Expanding Your Capacity for Success”
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