Better, Not Perfect

*** Distinguished Winner for the Responsible Research in Management Award ***

Negotiation and decision-making expert Max Bazerman explores how we can make more ethical choices by aspiring to be better, not perfect.

Every day, you make hundreds of decisions. They’re largely personal, but these choices have an ethical twinge as well; they value certain principles and ends over others. Bazerman argues that we can better balance both dimensions—and we needn’t seek perfection to make a real difference for ourselves and the world.

Better, Not Perfect provides a deeply researched, prescriptive roadmap for how to maximize our pleasure and minimize pain. Bazerman shares a framework to be smarter and more efficient, honest and aware—to attain your “maximum sustainable goodness.” In Part Two, he identifies four training grounds to practice these newfound skills for outsized impact: how you think about equality and your tribe(s); waste—from garbage to corporate excess; the way you spend time; and your approach to giving—whether your attention or your money. Ready to nudge yourself toward better, Part Three trains your eye on how to extend what you’ve learned and positively influence others.

Melding philosophy and psychology as never before, this down-to-earth guide will help clarify your goals, assist you in doing more good with your limited time on the planet, and see greater satisfaction in the process.

How can you overcome hidden biases to make more ethical choices without demanding perfection?

A New Decision-Making Framework: Move beyond gut-level intuition with a System 2 approach that helps you clarify goals, weigh criteria, and make wiser trade-offs in your personal and professional life. The "Better, Not Perfect" Mindset: Learn why striving for your "maximum sustainable goodness"—not sainthood—is the key to making a real, lasting difference without burnout. Actionable Ethical Strategies: Discover four key training grounds—from reducing tribalism and waste to optimizing your time and charitable giving—where small changes can create outsized impact. Evidence-Based Insights: Go beyond platitudes with a guide that merges the deep questions of philosophy with the practical, data-driven findings of modern psychology and behavioral science.