Kent Ingle is president of Southeastern University, author of several leadership books and host of the Framework Leadership podcast.
It’s important for leaders to hold themselves to a high standard if they want to succeed and help their organizations thrive. However, this desire to do well can quickly lead to perfectionism, leaving leaders feeling like they’re not doing enough or afraid to make mistakes.
In a UKG survey (download required), 42% of C-suite leaders reported that their greatest source of work-related stress is the pressure they put on themselves. Of those surveyed, 35% reported that they “often” or “always” feel stressed about work, and 40% said they were likely to quit in the next year as a result.
If we want to continue to lead successful, thriving organizations, it’s essential that we learn how to lead ourselves in a sustainable and healthy way—and that means addressing our need for perfection. But how?
Here are three ways to combat perfectionism in the workplace.
1. Realize there’s no such thing as ‘perfection.’
If you’re like me, that statement is unsettling. For many of us, it’s easier to believe there’s some perfect solution out there and that if we keep trying hard enough, we’ll achieve it. To think there’s no such thing as a perfect leader or workplace to strive for is unnerving—and feels like a cop-out. We want excellence and know it’s possible, so we keep striving after that elusive, perfect ideal.
However, there’s a difference between excellence and perfection. They both involve trying to reach a goal by working at a high standard—but perfection says you have to do it without making mistakes. It doesn’t allow you or your team members to learn from your shortcomings or find room for improvement, which ultimately stifles your potential for growth and innovation.
When you feel pushed to achieve perfection, stop and ask yourself what that would look like. Is what you want possible with your current resources, and if so, is it realistic? What happens if you or your team fail along the way or it doesn’t go exactly like you think it should? Do you trust your team to try other options and reach your goal without your constant supervision?
By asking yourself questions like these and challenging your perception of what “perfect” is, you can stop your perfectionist mindset and establish a healthier way of looking at your work.
2. Own your mistakes.
One of the biggest traps of perfectionism is the belief that you can’t make mistakes. And if you do, you will ruin everything or, worse, be seen as weak or a failure. However, this mindset is suffocating and often only leads to further anxiety, stress and unrealistic expectations. I’ve found the best way to overcome it is to practice openly admitting when you fall short.
Talking through your failures may feel against your nature at first, especially if you’re someone who hates appearing weak to your team. But just as you need to acknowledge there is no such thing as perfection, you need to admit that you aren’t perfect either. Otherwise, this kind of thinking will only alienate you from your team and make them feel that they can’t make mistakes themselves.
Combat this notion by openly admitting when you make a mistake and taking ownership of it. Share how it made you feel, acknowledge how it affected your team or the project, and then invite feedback for how you can make it right. You’ll often find your team forgiving and eager to help you move forward. By owning your failures, you’ll be less afraid of making mistakes, creating a greater sense of unity and trust with your team.
3. Consider past successes.
When you’re caught in the perfectionist mindset, you may feel like you have to control everything. You may be constantly afraid that something might go wrong and think a perfect performance or result is the only way you and your team can succeed. However, this isn’t true, and it’s important to remind yourself of that often.
Look back at key moments or successes in your leadership experience. What circumstances or feelings led up to those achievements? How many failures or obstacles did you and your team encounter before you “got it right”?
Practice challenging your thinking by remembering your past successes and all the stresses, failures and effort that went into them. Remember that despite all the shortcomings, you and your team still experienced success. Then, give yourself and your team grace to make mistakes going forward, remembering that you can still succeed when you do.
Honestly evaluating your past will help you plan for the future, and be able to set realistic goals and expectations for yourself and your team.
Remember that the standard you set for yourself is ultimately what your team will follow. If you’re afraid to admit when you make mistakes, your team probably will be too. On the other hand, if you practice owning up when you fall short, talking through your failures and looking for ways to learn from them, so will your team—allowing you to thrive and move forward together, no matter what may come.
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