PERFECTIONISM VS. PROGRESS: A LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVE  

Linus Okorie  argues that excellence should be about effectiveness, not flawlessness

Leadership is often defined by a commitment to excellence, but what happens when the pursuit of excellence morphs into perfectionism? What happens when the desire to be flawless becomes a roadblock instead of a strength? The truth is, perfectionism is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it can drive high-quality work and attention to detail. On the other, it can stifle innovation, slow down decision-making, and create a culture of fear and frustration.

And too many leaders fall into the trap of perfectionism, believing that anything less than flawless execution is a failure. This mindset, however, can slow down decision-making, demoralize teams, and hinder innovation. While perfectionists may produce high-quality work, they also risk getting stuck in a cycle of over-analysis, procrastination, and fear of failure. If you’re a leader struggling to strike a balance between perfection and progress, it’s time to rethink your approach.

In this article, we’ll explore how perfectionism manifests in leadership, why it holds you back, and how you can shift towards a more effective, progress-driven mindset without sacrificing quality. Perfectionism in leadership is neither about wanting to do a good job nor setting high standards. Let’s address perfectionism as what it is: It is an obsession with avoiding failure at all costs. This mindset manifests in different ways, each of which can hinder both personal and organizational growth:

One, Fear of Failure. Perfectionist leaders often avoid taking risks because they’re terrified of making mistakes. This fear can lead to missed opportunities and a lack of innovation. For example, a leader might delay launching a new product because they’re waiting for it to be “perfect,” only to be outpaced by competitors who are willing to iterate and improve over time.

Two, Over-Control (Micromanagement)
Perfectionists struggle to trust others to meet their high standards. This can lead to micromanagement, where leaders feel the need to oversee every detail of a project. While this might ensure quality in the short term, it erodes team morale and stifles creativity.

Three, Procrastination. Perfectionists often delay tasks because they don’t feel “ready” to start or finish them. This procrastination can create bottlenecks and slow down progress across the organization.

Four, Unrealistic Standards. Setting impossibly high standards can demoralize teams. When employees feel they can never meet expectations, they may disengage or burn out.

Five, Imposter Syndrome. Perfectionist leaders often feel like frauds, believing their success is due to luck rather than skill. This can lead to overcompensation, where they work even harder to prove themselves, perpetuating the cycle of perfectionism.

Six, Analysis Paralysis. Overthinking decisions is a hallmark of perfectionism. Leaders may get stuck in a loop of gathering more data, seeking more opinions, or refining plans, which delays action and progress.

The problem is that while perfectionism can produce high-quality outcomes, the cost is often too high: slower progress, frustrated teams, and unnecessary stress. The question is, how can leaders shift from perfectionism to progress?

The antidote to perfectionism is embracing a mindset of progress over perfection. Leaders can learn to embrace progress over perfection by redefining what success looks like and creating a culture that values iteration and learning. Here’s how: Redefine Excellence. Instead of striving for flawless work, aim for effective work. Ask yourself: Does it serve the intended purpose? Does it meet the client’s or stakeholder’s needs? Is it good enough to launch and refine later?

Many successful companies prioritize iteration over perfection. Tech giants like Google and Amazon release minimum viable products and refine them based on real-world feedback rather than waiting for perfection before launch. This approach allows them to innovate rapidly while still delivering high-quality experiences. Leaders can apply this same principle to their work by defining what must be flawless and what can be iterative to prevent unnecessary over-polishing.

 Set Clear Boundaries for Perfection. Not everything needs to be perfect. Define what truly requires a high level of precision and what can be iterative. For instance, a financial report might need to be error-free, but a brainstorming document can be rough and ready. Use deadlines to prevent over-polishing unnecessary details. As author Seth Godin once said, “Ship often. Ship lousy stuff, but ship. Ship constantly.”

 Encourage a “Done is Better Than Perfect” Mindset. Teach your team the value of speed and iteration. Celebrate progress and small wins to shift the focus from perfection to improvement. Using deadlines to prevent endless refinement fosters execution as constraints drive action. Speed and iteration often create better results than over-polishing something before release. Encouraging your team to ship work that meets key requirements rather than waiting for perfection builds momentum. Viewing mistakes as learning opportunities rather than failures fosters a growth mindset. Celebrating progress and small wins helps shift the focus from unattainable perfection to continuous improvement.

When leaders model this behavior, teams feel empowered to act, innovate, and adapt. This shift creates a culture where execution matters more than the illusion of perfection. One of the biggest ways perfectionism holds leaders back is through decision paralysis. In fast-moving environments, waiting for 100% certainty isn’t realistic.

One of the most significant challenges for perfectionist leaders is making timely decisions. The fear of making the wrong choice can lead to analysis paralysis, where leaders overthink and delay action. Here’s how to overcome this:

Use the 70% Rule. Former CEO of General Electric, Jack Welch, popularized the 70% rule: if you have 70% of the information you need to make a decision, go ahead and make it. Waiting for more data or 100% certainty often means missing opportunities. In fast-moving industries, speed is often more valuable than perfection. Leaders must make timely decisions to keep momentum.

Embrace the “Minimum Viable Decision” Concept. Similar to the “minimum viable product” in product development, the minimum viable decision is the smallest, fastest decision you can make to move forward. It allows you to test your approach, learn from the results, and adjust as needed.

Learn to Tolerate Discomfort. Perfectionism is often rooted in a desire to avoid discomfort—whether it’s the discomfort of failure, criticism, or uncertainty. Leaders must learn to sit with this discomfort and recognize that it’s a natural part of growth. As author Brené Brown says, “Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change.”

The best leaders understand that perfection is an illusion. Instead of chasing an unattainable ideal, they focus on delivering results, learning from experience, and continuously improving. Progress-oriented leadership doesn’t mean lowering standards; it means being strategic about what matters most. Perfectionism slows execution, hinders innovation, and burns out teams. Excellence should be about effectiveness, not flawlessness. By shifting from perfectionism to progress, leaders unlock greater potential—not just for themselves, but for their teams and organizations. The future belongs to those who execute, iterate, and adapt, rather than those who endlessly refine in pursuit of an impossible standard. So, which leader will you choose to be?

Okorie MFR is a leadership development expert spanning 30 years in the research, teaching and coaching of leadership in Africa and across the world. He is the CEO of the GOTNI Leadership Centre. www.gotni.africa