What’s the opposite of Goodness: Can you honor your inner critic?

“So, what is the opposite of goodness?” the interviewee asked. Before we could even begin the first interview for the Goodness Pays book project, the executive presented significant resistance. “I need to know if you are trying to paint the picture that the opposite of ‘goodness’ is ‘badness,’ he continued. Here’s how I answered:

Honoring the critic

The most rewarding part of building a movement is honoring the critic. The critics say aloud what many others are thinking and feeling. And sometimes, I’m my harshest critic. What do I really mean?

I do not think ‘badness’ is the opposite of goodness. Instead, I think narrow-minded, indecisive selfishness is the opposite of goodness.

“Ok, that helps,” he mused. “My reaction to your subject is that ‘goodness’ is a concept that’s lost its power in the context of religion, corporate social responsibility or self-righteousness. I really do believe goodness pays, but I don’t want to be a mouthpiece for any goody-two-shoes message,” he said emphatically.

Building courage

We embraced this mission because our clients are thriving by concentrating on goodness as both an intention and an outcome of their leadership. They are definitely happier, healthier and more magnetic as leaders.

It’s not about promoting a “goody-two-shoes” dialogue. It’s about producing business results through excellence, generosity, fairness and positivity. We believe the opposite of excellence is indifference. The opposite of generosity is selfish. The opposite of fairness is obstruction. And the opposite of positivity is toxic. 

So…what do YOU think? The success of the Goodness Pays book project will include ideas from you. Can you honor your inner critic, and answer the question: What is the opposite of goodness? 

If you’d rather not share your ideas with others by commenting on this site, email me privately – I want to hear from you.