Perfectionism is a Double-Edged Sword
Many people who seek perfectionism think that their belief system leads them to better performance and higher quality. They believe that it pushes them to be better than they usually would be.
For many, this quest for perfectionism can lead them to be condescending, brutal, angry, and toxic when running an organization. It also seems to have become more prevalent in the last 20 years, but it is coming under much scrutiny in today’s world. Hence it is a double-edged sword that can be of great benefit or present great harm.
Let us examine this a bit more:
There is some truth to this. However, it depends on how you view it and act on it. It has a good side and a deadly side. If you look at the concept of perfection as a mere suggestion or a standard, then you will be fine. At least it gives you something to aim at in terms of quality and efficiency.
By looking beyond what is in front of you or by not just focusing on what’s convention or expedient, perfectionism can be a tremendous help.
However, too many people end up suffering from perfectionism because their intentions are different. They are motivated by something else. They live their lives according to other people’s rules and expectations.
Having an idea of “the perfect” can help you if it acts as some standard that will push you to behave or perform better than you usually would. However, if your idea of what is perfect revolves around other people’s rules and expectations, then there is going to be a problem.
You are no longer living your life for yourself; you are living your life for somebody else. You start living your life according to unrealistic standards that you do not control.
When you keep trying to please others, you are no longer in charge of the process. It is too easy to run yourself ragged. It is not unusual for people in this situation to end up chasing their tails only to end up with a whole lot of nothing after all that time, effort, and bother.
Likewise, you may find that you are the perfectionist trying to force others to meet your expectations without allowing them to understand or even have input on the process, creating a toxic environment. Both are Tragic!
The truth is, standards should push you, but they should not intimidate you. They should not grind you down or put you, or anyone else, in a position where you’re going to burn out sooner rather than later. Instead of a burden, the idea of perfection should put a spring to your step and add vibrancy to your daily efforts.
Unfortunately, it is way too easy to fall into the trap of striving for perfectionism intended to impress others or live up to other standards. It is also a problem if your pursuit of perfection is done out of some sense of obligation.
Things can get so out of whack that perfection can appear mocking! Instead of something that is supposed to inspire you and push you upward and out, they intimidate you so much that you end up discouraged. You do not want to wake up the next day to do the same thing repeatedly. It gets old very quickly.
Make no mistake. Standards should inspire you for something more significant and higher. You know you are dealing with the wrong standards when they make you hate yourself, doubt yourself, or otherwise grind yourself down.
Also, standards should inspire organizations to accomplish more through effective teamwork and collaboration. Still, if one element is enforcing a perfectional level that is burning out other members or challenging their values, it is wrong.
Please know the difference because perfectionism, in either situation, is a double-edged sword. You end up chasing your tail, running after shadows, and at the end of the day, even if you achieve your goals, you are left holding an empty bag and looking for a way out of the situation.
Learn to confront perfectionism in the mirror or in other people with authentic conversations about how you can accomplish what needs to be done with better communication and collaboration. In the end, accomplishing individual or corporate goals should be a positive and uplifting celebration for every stakeholder.
