How perfectionism is sabotaging your leadership (and how to break free)

I’m a recovering perfectionist.

For years, I genuinely believed my perfectionism was a strength. High standards, striving for the best, a drive for flawlessness. If you’re wired the same way, you’ve probably also told yourself it’s helped you get ahead.

It should lead to big wins and great outcomes, shouldn’t it?

Nope.

Over time, I’ve learned that perfectionism is often counterproductive. This particular leadership gremlin has left me with a constant sense of falling short, even when I’ve worked myself into the ground and others are congratulating me. I’d zero in on what wasn’t done, instead of acknowledging progress or celebrating success.

I’ve also learned the hard way that perfectionism wreaks havoc on your team. Rewriting (and rewriting… and rewriting) their work doesn’t just slow things down, it alienates people. It belittles them. And it earns you the nickname “micromanager” faster than you can say Jack Robinson. 

Are you a perfectionist? A quick self‑check

Answer yes or no to each statement:

1. You worry about mistakes long after they’ve happened and struggle to enjoy your wins.
2. You replay past missteps or outcomes that didn’t go as planned.
3. You’re intensely competitive and hate the idea of doing a “poorer job” than others.
4. You want things done just right or not at all.
5. You expect perfection from others and find it hard to forgive mistakes.
6. You rarely ask for help because you fear it will make you look weak or incompetent.
7. You persist with tasks long after others would stop, even when it’s clearly a dead end.
8. You feel compelled to correct people when they’re wrong (even when it doesn’t matter).
9. You’re hyper-aware of others’ expectations and feel pressure to meet them.
10. You feel self-conscious about making mistakes in front of others.
11. You often delay starting something because you’re worried you won’t do it perfectly.
12. You spend excessive time preparing, polishing, or researching before taking action.

Scoring:

• 8+: You’re a strong perfectionist.
• 5–7: You have perfectionistic tendencies worth keeping an eye on.
• 0–4: You’ve found a healthy balance.

Perfectionism is paralysing. It slows decision-making. It sucks the joy out of work. And it can become your team’s worst enemy.

Now that you know how badly you’ve got it, imagine kicking perfectionism to the curb. Imagine no longer chasing the impossible standard of “perfect” for yourself or your team. Sounds like a relief, doesn’t it?

The good news: you can recover from perfectionism. I’m living proof. (I’m still a work-in-progress, but my perfectionism is MUCH better than it was! And because I’m getting better, I’m not aiming for perfect in overcoming my perfectionism – so that’s OK.) 

Here are some practical ways to start.

Seven ways to start recovering from perfectionism

1. Adopt “done is better than perfect” as your daily mantra.

Write it on a post-it note and stick it on your screen. Or make it your screensaver. Tattoo it on your arm if that’s what it takes 😊If you’re already high in the perfectionist stakes, you’re never going to do a terrible job, but leaning into this will help you tick more off! 

2. Notice your perfectionism triggers.

Where does your perfectionism show up most strongly? With new clients? When you’re doing high-stakes work? With first-time tasks? For me, it flared when I felt I had something to prove - like when I launched The Leader’s Map. Understanding the why behind your perfectionism is half the battle.

3. Focus on the negative impacts of perfectionism, especially on your team.

Seth Godin nails it: “For surface shine, 80% might be more than enough. After that, the tweaking is for us, not those we seek to serve.” Your extra 20% is often invisible to others but costly to you.

4. Set clear expectations upfront.

Define success together before delegating work to others and be explicit about what you expect. A few extra minutes at the start saves hours of rework later.

5. Balance perfection with action.

Watch for ‘analysis paralysis’. Experiment with reducing your need for data or certainty by 5–10% each week. Build your tolerance for “good enough” decisions.

6. Coach yourself in the moment.

When you feel perfectionism rising, pause and ask:

• Are my thoughts factual or just interpretations? What assumptions am I making? What evidence do I actually have?
• What’s the worst thing that could happen? How likely is it? And if it did happen, could I fix it? (Spoiler: usually yes.)
• What’s a “good enough” version of this task? What would I do if I only had half the time?

7. Use deadlines as your antidote.

Set a time limit and stick to it. Publish, send, or share the work at that time even if it feels uncomfortable. Reward yourself for speed and action, not flawlessness. The more you practice this, the easier it becomes.

Leadership is so much more enjoyable without the millstone of perfectionism around your neck. Do yourself (and your team) a favour: start loosening the grip of perfectionism. 

I’m learning to do it, and the freedom is worth every uncomfortable step.