The Perfect Leader Trap: How Perfectionism Affects Your Ability to Lead
Insights you'll find in this article...
- The real reason behind chronic perfectionism in leaders
- How perfectionism impacts your ability to lead effectively
- Why striving for flawless execution may be holding you back
Discover Your Leadership Kryptonite! ๐งจ Uncover not just what's holding you back, but also the antidote to propel your leadership forward. Click to take the What's Your Leadership Kryptonite quiz and reveal your path to confident leadership!
I Want the Antidote too!Is Perfectionism a Good Thing?
A lot of people think so. Perfectionism is often seen as the trait that sets high performers apart. Across many industries and organizations, it’s still viewed as a marker of dedication. People expect leaders to have high standards, push for accuracy, and deliver top-quality work.
Even leaders expect this of themselves. Because, who are you as a leader if you make a lot of mistakes, right?
This mindset runs deep. And on the surface, it seems logical.
But here’s what I’ve been noticing: Chronic perfectionism doesn’t primarily come from wanting to do great work.
Sure, that plays somewhat of a role. But from what I've seen, perfectionism often stems from the fear of making mistakes and what those mistakes might reveal.
Beneath the drive for flawless results is an undercurrent of insecurity—a need to prove yourself, avoid criticism, or cover up the feeling that you’re not enough.
The real driver isn’t dedication; it’s doubt.
And while perfectionism may look admirable from the outside, it quietly wears leaders down from the inside.
Find common ground in the narrative of client Alicia C., VP/Controller as she navigates the complexities of leadership:
"If you are considering coaching with Stacy, DO IT! She is great! My goal in working with Stacy was to work on more effective and persuasive communication tactics in dealing with a burned out, unhappy manager at our company. After working with Stacy, I was able to help the employee to be more accountable for herself and her team. Our communications are also much improved."
What Perfectionism Does To Leaders
Thinking about this has led me to believe that chronic perfectionism holds leaders back from taking risks, learning from mistakes, and building stronger relationships with their peers and teams.
Perfectionism can feel like a safety net, but it often ends up keeping leaders stuck. When you're focused on avoiding mistakes, you miss out on the learning that comes from them. You hesitate to ask for help, which creates distance from your team.
It’s the risks and messy moments that push us forward—not flawless execution.
Perfectionism forces you to pretend you have it all together, which only makes your job harder.
It’s like hacking through the jungle when there’s a perfectly good gravel road just 10 feet away. You might trip on a pothole, but your humanity will shine brighter than your highlight reel.
Why does this shift in thinking matter? Perfectionism has long been tied to success, but we rarely acknowledge the price that comes with it. Leaders stuck in this mindset often pay for it with their well-being, creativity, and relationships.
What’s worse, perfectionism doesn’t even serve its intended purpose. The constant effort to get everything right creates more stress, making it harder to be flexible or adapt when things inevitably go off track.
The insight here is simple but powerful: letting go of perfectionism frees leaders to take risks, foster collaboration, and learn from their mistakes. It’s through those imperfections—through the feedback, the failures, and the messy, unpolished moments—that real growth happens. When you stop trying to be perfect, you open the door to becoming better...and more comfortable in your role.
It also shifts the way teams work. Perfectionism can isolate you. If you’re always trying to prove you have it all together, you’re less likely to ask for input or delegate tasks. This leads to burnout, micromanagement, and missed opportunities to leverage your team’s strengths.
On the flip side, when leaders show vulnerability and embrace imperfection, it invites trust and collaboration. Teams feel empowered to step up, share ideas, and take ownership of their roles.
The stakes are high. Perfectionism may look like a strength, but it’s holding leaders and organizations back from true progress.
Break Free from Perfectionism and Lead with Confidence
Perfectionism might feel like a strength, but it often keeps leaders stuck, isolated, and overwhelmed. If you're ready to move past the need to be flawless and embrace a more balanced, effective leadership style, you’re not alone. Recognizing the impact of perfectionism is the first step toward meaningful progress.
For leaders ready to explore this shift, I offer an Explore Coaching call. This isn’t a coaching session or a commitment—it's a focused conversation about your unique leadership challenges and how perfectionism might be holding you back.
During our call, we'll:
- Discuss your toughest leadership roadblocks
- Explore how coaching could help address your specific needs
- Honestly assess the best path forward for your leadership growth
This is your opportunity to gain clarity, explore your next steps, and see if working together makes sense. To schedule your Explore Coaching call, click here to choose a time that fits your schedule.
Take the first step toward letting go of perfectionism and leading with greater ease and impact. True leadership starts when you let go of what’s holding you back.
Take the quiz now:
What's Your Leadership Kryptonite?
Discover your kryptonite...and get your antidote!
