For leaders, the pursuit of perfection can often be a double-edged sword. While aiming for excellence is admirable, the relentless pursuit of it can lead to missed opportunities for growth. This concept, known as perfectionism, is a common challenge faced by leaders in various industries.
Understanding Perfectionism in Leadership
Perfectionism in leadership is characterised by the aiming for perfection in decision-making, planning, and execution. Leaders who fall into the perfectionism trap often set unrealistic standards for themselves and their teams, preventing progress, growth and innovation.
Pitfalls of Perfectionism
Perfectionism manifests in various ways within leadership. It often leads to procrastination, as leaders delay decisions or actions until perfect conditions are met. Micromanagement also becomes prevalent as a need for control emerges, resulting in decreased autonomy and motivation among team members. Additionally, fear of failure paralyses perfectionist leaders, preventing them from taking risks, embracing uncertainty and adapting. Overall, “individuals imposing excessive perfectionist standards report higher levels of depression due to unrealistic standards, which often snowballs into impacts on the employee’s physical health, job performance, burnout/stress levels, and personal relationships.”1
Embracing Change: The Path to Growth
Continuous feedback, reflection, and adjustment allows leaders to adapt to changing circumstances, pivot when necessary, and seize opportunities for innovation. By embracing flexibility and resilience, leaders can foster a culture of learning and growth within their teams, driving long-term success. Here’s our best practical strategies to overcome perfectionist tendencies as a leader:
- Set SMART Goals: Leaders should set realistic goals and deadlines, allowing for flexibility and adaptation to unforeseen challenges. Breaking larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps empowers leaders and their teams to make progress without feeling overwhelmed.
- What it looks like: Implement the SMART goal framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to ensure that goals are both challenging and attainable. Regularly review progress and adjust expectations as needed to maintain momentum. Read our thought piece to understand more about SMART goals.
- What it looks like: Implement the SMART goal framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to ensure that goals are both challenging and attainable. Regularly review progress and adjust expectations as needed to maintain momentum. Read our thought piece to understand more about SMART goals.
- Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection: Shifting the focus from perfect outcomes to small achievements is key to fostering a culture of change. Leaders should encourage their teams to celebrate progress along the way and provide recognition to remind team members that they are valued and supported.
- What it looks like: Implement regular check-ins and team meetings to celebrate achievements, no matter how small. Recognise and reward team members for their contributions and efforts, reinforcing a positive culture of growth and development. Already have too many meetings? Consider a recognition platform where team members’ achievements are celebrated digitally.
- What it looks like: Implement regular check-ins and team meetings to celebrate achievements, no matter how small. Recognise and reward team members for their contributions and efforts, reinforcing a positive culture of growth and development. Already have too many meetings? Consider a recognition platform where team members’ achievements are celebrated digitally.
- Foster Psychological Safety: Creating a culture of psychological safety is essential for overcoming perfectionism within teams. Leaders should cultivate an environment where team members feel safe to share ideas, take risks, and learn from failures without fear of judgment.
- What it looks like: Lead by example by admitting mistakes and encouraging open communication among team members. Implement feedback tools such as coaching programs or regular one-on-one meetings to gather input and address concerns proactively.
Embracing Change for Long-Term Success
Overcoming perfectionism and embracing development is not only essential for personal growth but also for fostering a culture of innovation and resilience within teams. By implementing practical strategies and leading by example, leaders can unlock their full potential and inspire growth. It’s time to let go of perfection and embrace the journey of continuous improvement.
Resources
- Morelock. A, 2023, “How Perfectionism Can Hurt a Team”, Insight Global, https://insightglobal.com/blog/perfectionism-in-the-workplace/, 19/3/2024
