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Dolly Chugh

@dolly.chugh

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Behavioral Scientist • Professor • Speaker
Author of:
THE GOOD BOSS PROJECT (March 2027)
A MORE JUST FUTURE
THE PERSON YOU MEAN TO BE

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If you're new here, welcome!

My name is Dolly. I am a professor, behavioral scientist, and author who's trying to be the person I mean to be.

Time to re-introduce me (and Cocoa Bean the Wonder Puppy).

Let's keep growing together! Dolly Chugh sitting on a couch holding a coffee cup by @dolly.chugh

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a month ago

Tomorrow is my first day of school. Cue the Back-to-School jitters … yes, even professors get them!

For pete’s sake, 20 years, 64 classes, 3,000 students, and 38 hairstyles later, I’m still nervous every time. I still care … a lot.

I care because I teach about leadership, collaboration, influence, negotiation, power, inclusion, and being a good boss. And after twenty years, I’ve become obsessed with one idea.

Usual take: Being a good boss is good for the organization, the bottom line, and the employee. True, true, true.

Hot take: Being a good boss is also good for the boss. In fact, it may be the most meaningful job you didn’t know you had.

It’s what I’ve been telling my students for years.

And now, I finally wrote a book about it.

My third book, The Good Boss Project: Becoming the Manager You Mean to Be, will be released by @simonbooks next March.

For the book, I tracked down good bosses through the people who work for them and tried to understand what works on the good days and what doesn’t on the bad days. Using my usual blend of science, storytelling, and soul, I’m finalizing the manuscript and … am I allowed to say this?

It’s good. It’s really good. I’m so proud of it.

Lots more to come. For today, I’m not asking you to do anything (trust me, that day will come!). I just couldn’t hold in the news any longer.

Thanks for celebrating with me! Now it’s time to go prep for class (gulp!).

Links in bio to read more! by @dolly.chugh

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2 months ago

Happy National Boss's Day! (Or should I say, Happy Most Awkward Holiday Ever?)

One of my favorite parts of writing my new book has been interviewing people about the bosses who changed their lives. Again and again, I heard stories about bosses who set the bar high AND cared deeply about the humans trying to clear that bar.

Not one or the other. Both.

If you've worked for that kind of boss, this awkward holiday might not feel so cringey. It's an opportunity to thank someone who changed their life forever. Good bosses have that kind of impact on who we become and the life we lead. They leave a legacy. Being a good boss can have such a profound impact that I teach my students it is "sacred work."

That's what I've been thinking about as I put the finishing touches on THE GOOD BOSS PROJECT: BECOMING THE MANAGER YOU MEAN TO BE, coming March 9, 2027.

It's about why being a good boss is the most meaningful job you didn't know you had ... and how to do it.

You can preorder your copy at the link in my bio. "Happy National Boss's Day! Or as I think of it ... the world's most awkward holiday." by @dolly.chugh

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a day ago

I thought I knew Mel Robbins’ superpower: talking. She's so good at that. She can be mesmerizing.

But I don't think she's given enough credit for her real superpower: listening.

During our two-hour conversation, I said things I’d never said or even thought about before. Stuff I hadn't prepped in advance with her producer and that wasn't in her notes. She made me feel that vulnerable, that comfortable, that locked in (and trust me, I went in so nervous). Somehow, she even got me to sing (and then begged me to stop haha). And then later in the conversation, Mel called back what I'd said, word for word, and engaged with the ideas. She can make you feel mesmerizing.

I went to her Boston studio expecting to talk about leadership. I didn't expect to get such a visceral lesson in it.

As someone who teaches leadership, I was blown away. I've been trying to channel my inner Mel ever since that conversation.

This was one of four things that really surprised me about being on the @themelrobbinspodcast.

Read more in the latest issue of my newsletter (and listen to that fateful singing moment). Link in bio.

@melrobbins by @dolly.chugh

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16 days ago

Trust me. You'll want this book within arm's reach.

Available wherever you buy or borrow books.

@carolinewebbauthor by @dolly.chugh

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a month ago

Thrilled to interview Dr. @patriciahewlin at her book launch. We talked about her wonderful new book Staying True to You and the quest for balancing conformity and authenticity a.k.a. what she calls The Middle Self.

Professors Ashleigh Shelby Rosette and Tracy Dumas put this groundbreaking work in a greater context of research. We even took a walk down memory lane recalling that classic tune Got to be Real!

And yes, that gorgeous cover is both her book… and the best book launch cake ever! Dolly and Pat sit side by side on stage by @dolly.chugh

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a month ago

I am still processing the conversations and inspirations from the Billie Jean King Power of Women’s Sports Summit. Thanks to the tireless, intentional brilliance of Therese O’Higgins, Billie Jean King, Ilana Kloss, and colleagues, it was a room packed with 250 people committed to the ”Athlete to Leader Pipeline” and closing the money/data/investment gender gaps.

And yes, there is money to be made in women’s sports. To quote the hilarious Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy, “No shit, Sherlock.”

Finally, buried headline. It was the first time my daughter and I had attended a professional event as peers - me from the leadership perspective and her from the women’s sports perspective. They grow up so fast. Dolly and Maya smile broadly in front of Power of Womens Sports signage by @dolly.chugh

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2 months ago

Wow wow wow.

A day I'll never forget with Mel Robbins (@melrobbins + @themelrobbinspodcast) and her phenomenal podcast team. It started weeks prior with fun and fascinating prep calls with rock star producer Phil Devitt @phildevitt . Then, the big day arrived in Boston. I entered the studio to a gushingly warm greeting from the whole team, each of whom is a pro at what they do. Once we got going, Mel showed why her podcast is #1 with her master class interview skills and commitment to her millions of fans in 194 countries. And afterwards, we all enjoyed a jubilant "curtain call."

Who knew that a podcast recording could leave your heart so full?

Beyond grateful/nervous/excited to share that the episode is out today.

!!!!!

Listen/watch wherever you get your podcasts or check out link in my bio.

@themelrobbinspodcast A group of people and two are walking toward each other to embrace. by @dolly.chugh

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2 months ago

A tribute to Dolly, from Dolly. by @dolly.chugh

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2 months ago

It’s advice that I’ve given a lot of people and that a lot of people have given me. “Just be yourself.” It’s meant to say that you are enough.

Until I read Columbia University Professor Patricia Faison Hewlin’s new book, I couldn’t quite put my finger on why the advice falls short. There are plenty of times and places were being yourself may be enough, but it does not meet the moment. At work. At home. At school pickup (so real).

So which is it? Be authentic or conform?

Pat has helped me understand something called the Middle Self. It’s helping me feel more at peace and I think it will help so many others.

Her new book STAYING TRUE TO YOU is out this week and it is a gem. Link in the first comment.

@patriciahewlin by @dolly.chugh

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2 months ago

Writing my monthly Dear Good People newsletter for 10,000+ subscribers is probably my favorite thing to do for work.

It’s a chance to bring evidence-based thinking into everyday conversations on a range of topics I teach and study, such as leadership, inclusion, and growth. I like bringing a joy factor to serious topics and translating important science into tools we can all use. The creative challenge of weaving in compelling visuals and building a hook-y intro is great exercise for my storytelling muscles.

And nothing beats my high of reading fan mail and my growth from thoughtful critiques.

My semi-annual book issue is particularly fun for book-loving me because I get to round up the latest from amazing behavioral scientists, scholars, change makers, and evidence-based practitioners.

And it’s out now! I hope you’ll check out the July 2026 Semi-Annual Book Issue of Dear Good People where I share 30 new books you’ll want to know about. Link in bio and then scroll to the latest issue. Enjoy and let me know which new books you’re excited about ... Dolly stands at the front of a classroom smiling while speaking to students. by @dolly.chugh

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3 months ago

As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday and enjoy Wimbledon this weekend, I reflect on a special moment from 2022 when I shared my new book with tennis icon Billie Jean King. She has been a hero of mine since childhood and was a significant supporter of my first book.

This was the moment when I shared my second book, A MORE JUST FUTURE, with her. Her enthusiastic response gave me courage.

In A MORE JUST FUTURE, I explore a tricky topic: the paradox of our country’s beautiful ideals and complicated history. The book was inspired by those gutting moments when I discovered that some things I believed about the past were not true. Moments that I call “belief grief”.

And the realization that the seeds of today’s disparities were planted in that past.

I wrote this book to provide myself and others with tools for navigating that "unlearning" process. I weave together stories and science to assist others like me who wish to love and improve their country. I refer to us as "gritty patriots."

With the many inspiring July 4 celebrations happening this weekend, you can both celebrate and grapple by being a gritty patriot. Start by reading A MORE JUST FUTURE. Let’s continue unlearning together!

You can get your copy anywhere you buy or borrow books. And if you like audiobooks, yay me too. I really enjoyed narrating this one! Billie Jean King holds the book A More Just Future while standing next to Dolly in an auditorium. Both are smiling. by @dolly.chugh

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4 months ago