Almost Doing Good

Doing the Best That You Can with What You Have Some of the Time

De: Jessica Pettitt

Narrado por: Tiffany Morgan

What if ‘almost’ could be your organization’s secret weapon for DEI success? This is not your typical DEI book. It’s an invitation to embrace disruption, tackle complexity, and move beyond good intentions toward real, measurable impact. In this book, you’ll discover practical framework to help you Prepare, Recognize, and Respond effectively to DEI challenges as well as more than 20 real-world case studies from actual clients across many different industries to learn how an almost-ing effort fell short from doing good.

Author Bio: Jessica Pettitt, MBA, MEd, CSP, understands what it takes for large corporations and associations to implement policy changes and how much is at stake. But she also knows that the greater risk is in doing nothing, in not trying, in not aiming for better. Nearly 20 years of helping clients value the perspectives of all their people has shown her that a more inclusive culture creates a more creative, innovative, collaborative, profitable, and impactful organization. The trick is to start trying and to know that you and your teams are Good Enough Now to do “the best you can with what you’ve got some of the time,” no matter the topic, challenge, or [e-mail]

©2024 Jessica Pettitt (P)2025 Jessica Pettitt

So unique and brilliantly thoughtful

I have seen Jess Pettit speak and was so excited to listen to this book. The unique style of the audiobook is so thought provoking. I loved!! that the speaking artist delivered much of the book, then Jess came on to offer a thinking challenge about what I had heard. I feel like "reading" this at different times will result in even more elevated thoughts.

Incredible, witty and incredibly Timely book

In the tumultuous world of hospitality, where the COVID pandemic has left an indelible mark, Jessica Pettitt's "Almost Doing Good" is a beacon of hope, a north star guiding us toward a new paradigm of leadership and relationships. As someone who has navigated the treacherous waters of our industry's transformation, I can attest that Pettitt's book is a game-changer, a masterclass in reframing our approach to business and personal connections.

Pettitt's central thesis – that "almost doing good" is, in fact, good enough – is a liberating concept, particularly in an industry where perfectionism has long been the gold standard. By acknowledging that we're all works in progress, that our flaws and imperfections are an inherent part of our humanity, Pettitt gives us permission to breathe, to relax our grip on the unattainable ideal of perfection.

This is especially relevant in the post-pandemic hospitality landscape, where burnout, staffing shortages, and ever-shifting consumer expectations have pushed many of us to the brink. Pettitt's book offers a timely reminder that our worth and value as leaders and individuals are not defined by our ability to achieve some mythical standard of excellence. Rather, it's our capacity for empathy, self-awareness, and resilience that truly matters.

One of the most significant takeaways from "Almost Doing Good" is the importance of redefining our relationships with others. Pettitt shows us that it's okay to be vulnerable, to admit our limitations, and to ask for help. This has been a total paradigm shift for me, and one that has already led to greater trust, loyalty, and collaboration among my team.

Pettitt's writing is engaging, witty, and insightful, making this book an absolute pleasure to read. Her use of storytelling, anecdotes, and metaphors adds depth, nuance, and complexity to her ideas, making them feel both universally applicable and intimately personal.

In the end, "Almost Doing Good" is not just a book – it's a manifesto, a call to arms, a reminder that we're all in this together. As we navigate the uncharted waters of our industry's future, Pettitt's book is a beacon of hope, guiding us toward a more compassionate, empathetic, and sustainable way of being. If you're looking for a book that will challenge your assumptions, inspire your spirit, and transform your relationships, look no further. "Almost Doing Good" is a masterpiece, and Jessica Pettitt is a visionary leader who will help you find your way to a brighter, more resilient future.

Do the best you can, with what you have, some of the time

The world and workplace can be very confusing, and Jess helps make sense of it all for us, reminding us that doing something is better than doing nothing. I love and will requote her very often: “Do the best you can with what you have some of the time“. It’s such a powerful message and this is a must read, or must listen to book.

Thank you for adding "almost-ing" to my vocab!

I just finished this book in January 2025, when everyone's running scared from DEI conversations. Jess Pettitt drops this absolute gem that's more relevant and important than ever. Her take on "almost-ing" (my new favorite word) is exactly what we need right now - permission to take messy action instead of waiting for perfect. As an entrepreneur obsessed with making waves in the world, I wasn't actually looking for a DEI book. But her subtitle — "Doing the Best That You Can With What You Have Some of the Time" — drew me in and her fresh, no-BS approach grabbed me from page one. In fact, after I got my paperback copy and got two chapters in, I snagged the Audible edition so I can listen to it on the go. Highly recommend!

She gets that we're all fumbling through these kinds of conversations and trying to do our best, and instead of preaching perfection, she hands you a flashlight and says, "hey, let's figure this out together." Her stories hit home, her wisdom is real-world ready, and her sense of humor is so refreshing. Whether you're in the HR/DEI/Organization Development world, building a business empire of your own, or just trying to make your corner of the world a little better, this book lights the way forward. Because sometimes - actually, most times - almost-ing is where the magic starts.

A Transformational Read for Leaders, Advocates, and Changemakers

Jessica Pettitt's Almost Doing Good is the book I didn’t realize I needed until now. It's not just another leadership book. It was a mirror for me, a call to action, and a personal reflection on how we navigate government, organizations, and community work.

After attending Jessica’s community event post-election, I bought the paperback but wasn’t ready to read it then. I needed to realign myself, my work, and my role in county government. This past week, I finally downloaded the Audible version, and hearing Jessica co-narrate her own words was awesomely done and a great way to keep the listener engaged! Almost Doing Good has been my nighttime listen, road trip companion, and guide as I process my leadership journey.

Chapters 9-12 resonated deeply with me, especially in how they validated the struggles and challenges I've witnessed firsthand in government, city politics, and nonprofit spaces like Main Streets and BIDs. This book provides tools and guidance that could address the all-too-familiar reflection of the short-sightedness we see in policy, politics, leadership, and decision-making. It reinforced the importance of speaking up, advocating for change, and refusing to let outdated narratives dictate progress.

Jessicas wisdom, transparency, and humor make this book feel like an ongoing conversation rather than a lecture, and I found myself nodding along, reflecting, and even re-evaluating my approaches.

This book has reinforced what I've learned from Jessica's past training, and the past book Good Enough Now helps validate that hard conversations are needed, stay in, and do the hard work and encourages me to push forward with even more intention.

This book is a must-read for anyone in leadership, government, nonprofit work, or just trying to navigate their role in making change. Jessica, thank you for this work, guidance, and unwavering honesty. I’m a big fan of your work! Thank you for having the hard conversations to move us forward together.