JESS’S NEW BOOK
Doing Good Better
Organizational dysfunction rarely happens overnight. It builds quietly through avoided conversations, unresolved problems, blurred roles, and the growing distance between what an organization says it values and how it actually operates. In Doing Good Better, Jessica Pettitt helps leaders recognize those warning signs early, confront what isn’t working, and turn dysfunction into an opportunity for meaningful, lasting change.
Launching the Week of September 28
Doing Good Better
When Good Organizations Get Stuck
Even strong leaders and well-intentioned organizations can find themselves caught in dysfunction. It usually doesn’t happen overnight. Small issues go unaddressed, difficult conversations get postponed, responsibilities become blurred, and eventually the way an organization operates no longer matches the values it claims to represent.
In Doing Good Better, Jessica Pettitt helps leaders recognize those warning signs before everyday dysfunction turns into a much bigger problem. With her direct, practical, and often humorous approach, Jess shows how to uncover what isn’t working, confront uncomfortable realities, and turn organizational challenges into opportunities for meaningful change.
Readers will discover how to identify patterns of dysfunction, have more productive conversations about difficult issues, strengthen leadership and workplace culture, and create greater alignment between an organization’s stated values and its everyday actions. Just as importantly, Jess explores how leaders can stop carrying the entire weight of an organization themselves and build cultures that continue to function effectively even when they aren’t in the room.
Doing Good Better isn’t about creating a workplace without conflict, stress, or challenges. It’s about creating an organization capable of addressing those challenges honestly. When people can say what needs to be said, hear what needs to be heard, and take responsibility for what happens next, dysfunction stops being something to work around—and becomes an opportunity to build something better.
Launching the Week of September 28
More Info in the Looking Both Ways Event
Monday, September 28 | 12 PM Pacific
Raven Solomon — Good Enough Now: Smoke
Join Jess Pettitt and Raven Solomon for a conversation exploring the “smoke” that often appears before bigger problems take hold—and what it looks like to notice, name, and respond before things escalate.
Tuesday, September 29 | 12 PM Pacific
Amy C. Waninger — Almost Doing Good: Flames
Amy C. Waninger joins Jess for a conversation about navigating change, uncertainty, fear, and resistance. Drawing from her Moving from Panic to Purpose work, Amy will explore how people and organizations can move through disruption with greater resilience, clarity, and intention.
Wednesday, September 30 | 12 PM Pacific
Tony Chatman — Doing Good Better: Dumpster Fire
Jess sits down with Tony Chatman to talk about what happens when resistance gets in the way of progress. Tony will explore how leaders can move people through change, create genuine buy-in, and regain traction when the world around them refuses to slow down.
Thursday, October 1 | 12 PM Pacific
Jess Pettitt — Embers
Jess takes the spotlight for a special solo session featuring material from some of her most popular workshops. It’s an opportunity to dig deeper into the ideas behind Doing Good Better and continue the conversation about recognizing dysfunction, navigating change, and putting better intentions into action.
Friday, October 2 | 12 PM Pacific
David Avrin — Party
Jess is joined by David Avrin to close out the week with a special Friday conversation and celebration. Come be part of the fun as Looking Both Ways wraps up its first week of conversations around Doing Good Better.
About The Author
Jess Pettitt, MEd, MBA, CSP, CPAE, is an author, keynote speaker, advisor, crisis mediator, and emcee who helps organizations address the difficult conversations their leaders have been avoiding.
Jess began her career as a university administrator by day and a stand-up comic by night in New York City. She eventually combined those experiences, bringing humor, candor, and practical insight to her work with businesses, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, associations, first responders, and government agencies.
Over the past two decades, Jess has spoken to more than half a million people across North America. Her work focuses on leadership, workplace culture, crisis communication, and the internal problems that can quietly weaken an organization.
In 2026, Jess was inducted into the CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame, the National Speakers Association’s highest lifetime achievement honor. She also holds the Certified Speaking Professional designation.
Jess is the author of Good Enough Now, Almost Doing Good, and Doing Good Better. Together, the books reflect the principle at the heart of her work: Do the best you can with what you have some of the time, because it is better than doing nothing—never.
Originally from Texas, Jess now lives in Eureka, California.