The Cure for Perfectionism

A Guide for Leaders Seeking Excellence, Not Exhaustion

As a recovering perfectionist, I can speak with confidence on the problems it can cause for a leader (or for anyone for that matter).  Perfectionism is a common trap for leaders, especially those driven by a passion for excellence. It can seem like a valuable asset, motivating high standards and attention to detail. But for many, the pursuit of perfection turns into a cycle of dissatisfaction and burnout. Let’s explore the cure for perfectionism and how leaders can harness the power of "good enough" to drive success and foster an empowered, productive team.

The Problem...

Perfectionism, at its core, is the belief that the only acceptable outcome is flawlessness. Leaders often fall into this mindset because they want to set high standards, inspire excellence, and ensure their work reflects their best. However, perfectionism can quickly lead to micromanagement, delayed decisions, and missed opportunities as leaders get caught up in minutiae, constantly reworking details, and never feeling satisfied with the results.

In a business, perfectionism has several significant drawbacks:

• Time Wastage: Instead of focusing on strategic growth or team building, perfectionist leaders can get bogged down by revisiting tasks repeatedly.
• Stifled Innovation: Teams may fear failure or experimentation, as the leader’s expectations leave little room for error or creative freedom.
• High Stress and Burnout: Both the leader and team members can feel constant pressure, leading to exhaustion (and reduced productivity).

Breaking free from perfectionism is essential for leaders who want to create lasting impact, sustainable growth, and a positive, engaged team.

Step 1: Embrace the "Progress Over Perfection" Mindset

One of the most effective ways to counter perfectionism is by shifting your mindset to prioritize progress over perfection (one of my favorite sayings). This doesn’t mean sacrificing quality—it means recognizing that taking steps toward a goal is better than holding out for a flawless outcome. This approach can be instrumental in helping leaders make more effective decisions, even if those decisions come with an element of risk.

Ask yourself: Does the time and effort invested in refining every detail provide significant returns, or does it only serve my internal desire for control? Redirecting this time toward strategic, growth-oriented activities will allow you to lead with purpose, without the constraints of perfection.

Step 2: Set Clear Goals and Boundaries

To combat perfectionism, it’s essential to define what “good enough” looks like in various contexts. This clarity can help prevent you and your team from endlessly chasing "perfect" outcomes. Set specific, measurable goals (SMART) that allow for a reasonable amount of effort—enough to achieve excellence without requiring every tiny detail to be flawless.

For example, if you’re working on a marketing campaign, prioritize the most impactful elements that align with your goals, instead of perfecting minor design details that won’t influence the outcome.  I've spent hours editing a video or perfecting a graphic...only to delete it without ever using it.

Tip: A scorecard and regular check-ins can help here!

Step 3: Foster a Culture of Delegation and Trust

Perfectionist leaders often struggle with delegation. They may feel that tasks won’t be done to their standards unless they handle everything personally. Overcoming perfectionism as a leader means learning to trust your team to do good work—even if it doesn’t exactly match your way of doing things.

Practical Tip: Start by delegating smaller tasks, gradually building up to more significant responsibilities as trust develops. If a task is 80-90% aligned with your expectations, consider it a win. This will free up your time and give team members the confidence and autonomy to contribute more fully.

Step 4: Reframe Mistakes as Learning Opportunities

Perfectionists tend to view mistakes as failures, often overlooking the growth opportunities they provide. As a leader, it’s essential to reframe mistakes as a natural part of the learning process. Embracing this growth mindset not only helps you manage your own perfectionism but also creates an environment where your team feels safe to take risks and innovate.

Actionable Exercise: After a project or task, hold a quick team debrief. Discuss what went well, what didn’t, and what can be improved next time. This structured reflection can help normalize mistakes, encouraging continuous improvement rather than flawless execution.  Repeat this to yourself, "fail often, fail fast, fail forward."

Step 5: Celebrate Small Wins and Milestones

Leaders with perfectionist tendencies often find it difficult to acknowledge progress, focusing instead on what could have been done better. Celebrating small wins is a powerful way to shift this focus, building momentum and morale for you and your team.

When you take the time to recognize achievements—even if they aren’t flawless—you reinforce that progress and effort are valued. Celebrating wins, however small, creates a positive feedback loop that motivates continued performance, alleviating the need for constant over-analysis and self-criticism.

Step 6: Practice Self-Compassion

Perfectionism is often rooted in self-doubt and a fear of not measuring up. To counter this, practice self-compassion. Give yourself permission to be human, understanding that no one expects perfection from you—except, maybe, yourself.

This practice doesn’t just benefit you; it sets a valuable example for your team. When they see you treating yourself with grace and patience, they’ll feel more comfortable doing the same, ultimately creating a workplace that values well-being as much as high performance.

The Outcome: Leading with Excellence, Not Perfection

Breaking free from perfectionism won’t happen overnight. It’s an ongoing process that requires self-awareness, intentionality, and a commitment to shifting your mindset. However, by embracing progress over perfection, setting clear expectations, fostering trust, and practicing self-compassion, you can lead a team that values excellence, innovation, and resilience.

The cure for perfectionism lies in recognizing that true leadership is not about doing everything perfectly. Instead, it’s about empowering your team, making strategic choices, and moving forward with confidence, knowing that progress—not perfection—is the foundation for long-term success.

 Ryan Giles