The Inefficiency of Perfectionism: Embracing Imperfection for Innovation

In 1953, Donald Winnicott coined the term “good enough mother” as part of his work on paediatric psychiatry. 

He argued that children did not require a perfect parent, just one that is “ordinarily devoted” and willing to gradually reveal their limitations as their child gained sufficient understanding to accept and overcome them.

This notion of “good enough” has been recycled and reapplied many times since. Avram Alpert’s 2022 book The Good-Enough Life builds on the work of Winnicott and psychologist Thomas Curran to show that imperfection can lead to a more harmonious, fulfilling society.

Despite all of this literature, and the implausibility of actually being perfect, many of us wear ourselves out striving for it anyway. 

This needs to change. Let’s dig in.

The Myth of Perfection

“From such crooked timber as humanity, no straight thing was ever made.” - Immanuel Kant

We are not perfect beings, and striving for perfection often leads to inefficiency and burnout rather than success and satisfaction. The pursuit of an unattainable ideal can stifle creativity, limit risk-taking, and hinder progress. 

Why Perfectionism Holds Us Back

Perfectionism is rooted in the desire to avoid failure and criticism. Seth Godin called it the ideal defence mechanism (and, hilariously, “the lizard brain giving you an out.”)

While this might seem protective, it actually sabotages us by fostering procrastination and anxiety. When perfectionists face a task, the fear of not measuring up to their high standards can be paralysing, leading to delays and premature abandonment. 

It’s a vicious cycle—fear of imperfection creates stagnation, and stagnation prevents growth.

More alarming is the impact on teamwork and culture. A perfectionist mindset can lead to micromanagement and resistance to delegation, stifling collaboration and the free flow of ideas. 

Team members may feel pressured to conform to unrealistic standards, pushing aside creative solutions for safe, conventional ones. 

This environment crushes morale and snuffs out innovation.

The Cost of Perfection

Trigger Warning: This section discusses mental health challenges, including suicidal ideation. Please take care while reading. 

The pursuit of perfection does not come without significant personal costs. Numerous studies have painted a stark picture of how perfectionism can be detrimental to our well-being, productivity, and overall quality of life. Most alarmingly, the relentless drive for flawlessness has been linked to mental health issues, including suicidal ideation.

Research conducted by Dr. Gordon Flett and Dr. Paul Hewitt, pioneers in the study of perfectionism, highlights the severe impact this mindset can have on individuals. They identified three distinct types of perfectionism, each with its own set of challenges:

Self-Oriented Perfectionism

Self-oriented perfectionism involves setting exceedingly high standards and striving relentlessly to meet them. It stems from internal pressures and personal expectations.

While a certain level of ambition can be beneficial, the unattainable demands that self-oriented perfectionists place on themselves can lead to chronic stress, burnout, anxiety, and depression. 

Other-Oriented Perfectionism

Other-oriented perfectionism involves enforcing high standards on others, holding them to the same exacting expectations you have for yourself. This type isn’t just harmful to the perfectionist but also detrimental to their relationships. 

It can destroy any opportunity for collaboration, cause isolation and loneliness, or even result in conflict, resentment, and alienation. 

Socially Prescribed Perfectionism

Perhaps the most invasive type in today’s social media-fuelled environment, socially prescribed perfectionism is the belief that others have high expectations for us which we must meet. 

This perception of external pressure can be incredibly damaging, leading to constant worry, paralysis, and an intense fear of failure. Research from Thomas Curran and Andrew Hill has consistently shown that socially prescribed perfectionism is strongly correlated with severe mental health issues, including suicide. 

Perfection’s Impact on Innovation

In a business context, the ramifications of perfectionism can be profound, often stifling innovation and hindering progress. When perfection becomes the standard, the workplace transforms from a space of creativity to one of stagnation. 

It results in:

• Reduced idea generation: Teams have fewer ideas as members are afraid to think outside the box. Perfection snuffs out the playful, exploratory thinking that fuels breakthroughs.
• Limited experimentation: Experimental approaches and trial-and-error learning are critical for true innovation. But the perfectionist mindset discourages failure, leading to conventional choices, and ironically, mediocrity. 
• Decreased job satisfaction: Employees working under perfectionist managers tend to feel undervalued and mistrusted, leading to low morale. 

While high standards are necessary, an obsession with perfection can be crippling. It will take longer to get to market, the product will be redundant, and plans will be inflexible–all paradoxically leading to likely failure.  

Practical Approaches to Imperfection

There’s no roadmap for avoiding perfectionism. That’s kind of the point, right? Play around, try things, break stuff. Enjoy the ride. Smell the roses, and such.

But imperfection doesn’t have to mean ignorance. You can learn from what others have done and build on them. Here are a few changes I’ve implemented for myself of late:

Promote Psychological Safety

Everyday I try to remind my team (and myself) that it is safe to take risks. They won’t be penalised if something doesn't work out. They won’t disappoint me. I want to create a space that encourages open and honest communication, where everyone shares ideas without fear of judgement. 

Leaders must model vulnerability by acknowledging their own imperfections and mistakes.

Increments, Not Explosions

Don’t expect every innovation to be game-changing. Consistent incremental improvements can be just as impactful, and they should be rewarded. Create realistic, achievable standards and expectations to prevent the paralysis of perfection. 

Encourage Play

There’s something to be said about foosball and video game consoles at high-performing scale up companies. Allowing space for fun and relaxation can lead to unexpected breakthroughs. 

If a meeting can be had in the sunshine over coffee and donuts, do it. If you can brainstorm while kicking a ball around, go for it. Work should be mostly fun, if it isn’t, what’s the point?

Celebrate the Wins (and the Almosts)

Recognise and celebrate the progress and effort that goes into innovative work—even when it fails. 

If someone has a big idea but can’t quite pull it off, congratulate them on the effort and run a retro. Figure out what went wrong, and sponsor them to chase the next idea just as hard. 

Remember to also reward non-tangible forms of success, such as improved team dynamics, increased confidence, and personal development.

Final Thought

Perfect really isn’t perfect. It’s inefficient, detrimental, and painful. 

So just be “ordinarily devoted” to your work, your teammates, and yourself. That’s pretty amazing already.

Postscript: Recommended Reading

Perhaps the best summation of these thoughts are found in Thomas Curran’s The Perfection Trap, a wonderful read that came out last year. You could also check out Curran’s soft-spoken presentation from 2018, where he calls out a few concerns for the next generation.