Yes, I meant Goodest.
In his TED Talk Simon Anholt, founder of The Good Country Index, asks the question, "Which country does the most good for the world?"
According to him there are Good countries, Gooder countries and the Goodest Countries. I think that's a fun idea.
What he shares in his talk isn't an opinion. It's research.
It's a very detailed scale that measures every country in the world based on what they do for others, how generous they are and how much of a positive difference they make in the world.
I love that question and it doesn't only apply to our countries, it applies to our organizations, our families and our personal lives.
Today, on our Independence Day here in America, I think it is an especially powerful question to ask.
Tomorrow is B Corp's Interdependence Day, which I love, and I hope each of us takes that next step.
It's important to be independent, strong, confident and passionate about your beliefs. But like I wrote earlier this week in 3 Things I Know About Love, I think interdependence, compassion and love are an even greater adventure.
We might not be the goodest country yet (the U.S. is ranked 21st right now) but I dream one day we will be.
As Simon says at the end of his talk,
"Ultimately that is what will make the change. That word "good," and the discovery that's behind it have changed my life. I think they can change your life, and I think we can use it to change the way that our politicians and our companies behave, and in doing so, we can change the world. I've started thinking very differently about my own country since I've been thinking about these things. I used to think that I wanted to live in a rich country, and then I started thinking I wanted to live in a happy country, but I began to realize, it's not enough. I don't want to live in a rich country. I don't want to live in a fast-growing or competitive country. I want to live in a good country, and I hope that you do too."
Happy Independence Day America.
And, in case I don't see you tomorrow, Happy Interdependence Day too.
