Most people know something about Perfectionism.
Some have been called "Perfectionists" themselves.
Others think about "that" person they share the workplace with... you know the one.
Then some point to a Family Member, often a Sibling.
We've all encountered Perfectionism to some degree or another.
For many people, it begins with School and Sports.
Trying to get Above a 4.0 GPA.
Being the Best on the Team, or in the League, or in the World.
It often also expands into the Workplace.
Now, something we should ask ourselves is whether Perfectionism is Good or Bad?
Is Perfectionism Helpful to our Success, or is it a Destructive Force that Decimates our Wellbeing?
Some people wear the Badge of Perfectionism with Pride.
Others try to overcome their Perfectionistic Tendencies.
There are stories both of how Perfection has Destroyed Lives, and how it was a Cornerstone to Success.
So which is it?
Is Perfectionism Helpful or Harmful?
Well, there is a misunderstanding here with this question.
When you ask "Is Perfectionism" Good or Bad, Helpful or Harmful, or whatever else, you "Miss" the Reality.
"Perfectionism" is not a Singular Thing.
Rather, 2 Types of Perfectionism exist within a Spectrum, which is something that was revealed to me from one of my PN Certifications.
On one end you have what is called "Perfectionistic Strivings".
Several things characterize this form of "Perfectionism".
Here you have things like:
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Approach Goals - Moving Toward Lofty Ideals and a Hopeful Future
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Challenging Yourself
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Meeting Your Own Standards
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Celebrating Progress Toward Goals
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Fear of Not Reaching Personal Potential, Defined by You
These types of "Perfectionistic Strivings" tend to be very Beneficial and "Needed" for Success.
When you look at "Stress Optimization", these are generally what you would call "Eu-Stress" or "Positive Stressors".
When utilized correctly, it can push us as Humans into Flow States where we Feel and Perform at our Best.
However, there is another side of the Spectrum as well.
This is known as "Perfectionistic Concerns".
This end of the Spectrum is characterized by other aspects of "Perfectionism".
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Avoidance Goals - Focusing on "Not" Making Mistakes
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Motivated by External Approval, or Avoiding Disapproval/Disappointment
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Working Hard to Meet the Opinions and Judgements of Others
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Progress (and Sometimes Winning) Never Feels Like "Enough"
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Fear of Failure, Especially in Front Of Others
These types of "Perfectionistic Concerns" tend to be "Detrimental" to Success.
When looking at "Stress Optimization", these would Cause "Dis-Stress", which often Leads to Burnout (Or Makes it Worse!).
So when we Look at "Perfectionism", it is not a Singular Thing.
It is a Scale that exists between "Perfectionistic Strivings" and "Perfectionistic Concerns".
If we are going to Determine whether the "Perfectionism" we may have (or the People we Lead) is Positive or Negative, Helpful or Harmful, we must look at it on this Scale.
Are you Working Out because you are Afraid that if you Don't, You'll Die Early and People Will Judge You?
If so, Your Perfectionism leans into "Perfectionistic Concerns" and will end up becoming Detrimental to you in the Long Term.
Are you Working Out because you Enjoy Feeling Healthy, and the Idea of Becoming Better Physically makes you Excited, perhaps you'll be able to Participate in that Awesome Event in the Future?
If so, Your Perfectionism leans into "Perfectionistic Strivings" and will end up becoming Beneficial to you in the Long Term.
There are 2 other things that you Must Consider Here.
The First is that Your Form of Perfectionism could be Different for Different Things.
For Instance, you may lean toward "Perfectionistic Strivings" with your Health, but at the same time may lean toward "Perfectionistic Concerns" in your Work as you Fear Repercussions of Doing Poorly.
This can play out in Many Different Ways, in areas of life such as Physical Health, Mental Health, Existential Health, Relational Health, Environmental Health, Emotional Health, and more!
Each area of our lives may have completely different Scales that are worth Considering.
The Second thing to understand is that All Stress Adds.
So, our bodies have a Stress Threshold at any given time, and when we experience Too Much Stress Simultaneously, it becomes Detrimental.
This even happens with things that are Generally Considered "Eu-Stress"!
So, let's say that your Work is making you feel Atrocious (as it is for 80% of Workers due to Burnout, with more close behind), so you decide to "Add" Working Out.
You may have a Really Healthy form of "Perfectionistic Striving" with Working Out.
You are excited by Feeling Better, You're Only Competing Against Yourself, You Celebrate Tiny Victories!
But because Work is "So" Overwhelming Already, "You" will be in Dis-Stress because you are Past your Stress Threshold.
Sometimes, for us to have the Greatest Levels of Success, we must First Lower our Total Stressors (Below our Stress Threshold) "Before" we Add a Eu-Stress.
So is Perfectionism Helpful as a Leader?
It Depends on the "Type" of Perfectionism and your "Total" Stressors at any given time.
In some cases, Perfectionism will become your Greatest Enemy and quickly Smash you into Pulp.
In other cases, Perfectionism can be a Catalyst for Growth, Innovation, Positive Change, and More!
As with most things in Life, the Entirety of Your Situation will end up Determining whether You have Success or Failure, and how Perfectionism may Aid or Hinder You.