Leadership in the Real World: Why Perfectionism is Outdated
The surprising impact of choosing progress over perfection
“In tennis, perfection is impossible...even top-ranked tennis players win barely more than half of the points they play.
The truth is, whatever game you play in life, sometimes you’re going to lose. A point, a match, a season, a job…when you lose every second point on average, you learn not to dwell on every shot.”
For Roger Federer, arguably one of the greatest tennis players of all time, winning every point was not his focus. Winning them when it counted is what was critical to his success.
Federer’s approach resonates far beyond sport—it speaks directly to the heart of leadership in today’s unpredictable world.
Perfectionism can often be disguised as a strength, especially in leadership. At its core, perfectionism is the relentless drive to achieve flawlessness and the belief that anything less is failure. It’s not about striving for excellence—an admirable and essential quality—but about setting impossibly high standards that stifle progress, creativity, and resilience.
While perfectionism might feel like a badge of honour, it often traps leaders in a cycle of over-analysis, indecision, and fear of mistakes, standing in the way of what they need most: adaptability, resilience, and the ability to inspire and innovate. In today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world, it’s a liability that leaders simply can’t afford.
The Hidden Costs of Perfectionism
Leaders who hold onto perfectionism often find themselves caught in a cycle that drains energy and diminishes effectiveness:
Delayed Action: Striving for flawless execution slows decision-making and stifles momentum.
Fear of Mistakes: A reluctance to take risks prevents experimentation, stalling growth and innovation.
Burnout and Exhaustion: The relentless pursuit of perfection leads to stress and inefficiency, undermining team morale and performance.
Consider the Pareto Principle—or the 80/20 rule—as a cautionary lens. While 80% of outcomes typically result from 20% of efforts, perfectionism focuses on chasing the final 20%. This disproportionate investment yields diminishing returns, leaving leaders and their teams overworked and underperforming.
The Lesson of Radar: Progress Beats Perfection
During World War II, Sir Robert Watson-Watt, inventor of Britain’s early-warning radar system, famously said, “Give them the third best to go on with; the second best comes too late, the best never comes.” His radar system wasn’t perfect—its range was limited, and it couldn’t always distinguish between friend and foe. Yet, it was deployed quickly and proved invaluable. The system saved countless lives and altered the course of the war, giving the Allies a crucial edge in detecting and responding to enemy threats, particularly during the Battle of Britain in 1940.
Watson-Watt’s radar provided real-time enemy movement data, enabling the RAF to fight smarter, not harder. By prioritising a practical, functional system over perfection, he ensured its timely deployment, saving lives and securing a pivotal Allied victory.
His example offers a vital leadership lesson: in high-stakes situations, timely progress and adaptability matter far more than waiting for perfection.
Leaders who embrace ‘good enough’ solutions can act decisively and refine over time.
Two Leadership Paths: Perfectionism vs. Adaptability
How leaders respond to challenges reveals the stark contrast between perfectionism and adaptive stability:
Decision-Making:
Perfectionist: Paralysed by over-analysis, delaying action and avoiding risks.
Adaptive Leader: Makes timely decisions with confidence, knowing adjustments can be made if necessary.
Team Dynamics:
Perfectionist: Micromanages, stifling creativity and eroding trust.
Adaptive Leader: Delegates effectively, fostering collaboration and innovation.
Response to Failure:
Perfectionist: Views mistakes as catastrophic, often resorting to blame.
Adaptive Leader: Sees failure as a chance to grow, encouraging resilience.
Why Letting Go of Perfectionism Leads to Better Leadership
Research consistently highlights the drawbacks of perfectionism in leadership. A recent study conducted during the Covid-19 lockdown found that excessive self-criticism and fear of not being perfect are strongly linked to burnout, highlighting how these traits in leaders can increase stress, reduce effectiveness, and negatively impact their teams. On the other hand, leaders who adopt a growth mindset—prioritising progress and learning—experience greater resilience, adaptability, and team satisfaction.
How Leaders Can Break Free from Perfectionism
To foster adaptive stability, consider these steps:
Prioritise Progress Over Perfection: Focus on what matters most and embrace “good enough” for tasks that don’t require absolute precision.
Shift from Control to Empowerment: Trust your team to achieve results in their own way, even if their methods differ from yours.
Celebrate Learning: Treat mistakes as valuable lessons, modelling this mindset for your team.
Challenge Perfectionist Tendencies
When perfectionism threatens to take over, ask yourself:
Am I focusing on outcomes that truly matter, or on minor details?
What is the cost of delaying this decision or action?
Am I avoiding a risk because I fear failure?
How can I reframe mistakes as opportunities for growth?
What would be the “minimum viable product” for this task or project?
Progress, Not Perfection
Letting go of perfectionism doesn’t mean lowering your standards—it means focusing on what truly matters. Like Watson-Watt’s radar, a “good enough” solution can be the difference between action and inaction, between success and missed opportunities.
Roger Federer’s approach encourages us to not count every time we didn’t do something perfectly, but to strive for progress. When leaders embrace this mindset, they discover the clarity, agility, and resilience needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.
