Let's talk about the elephant in the room – perfectionism.
A common trait of high performers, perfectionistic qualities drive great performance and results.
'Perfectionists' are an employer's dream, because they will make sure things are right, on time and high quality. They can also build great relationships as they avoid letting anyone down and demonstrate excellence across all facets of work.
The downside is that perfectionism often comes at a cost - usually to no-one but the individual. Higher stress levels, health issues, the looming threat of burnout, or perhaps not focusing as strategically as you should.
Wonder why your top people leave? They will never admit that they've crashed and therefore failed in their own eyes.
It's like trying to control the weather; an impossible feat that can leave you feeling anxious, frustrated and drained.
If perfectionism has been your loyal companion, it's time to bid it farewell. Being more strategic often requires unlearning the very trait that helped you to succeed so far. "What got you here won't get you there", as they say.
It requires some self-love to forgive yourself for not being perfect and adjusting your own standards down a tad. It forces some vulnerability to admit when you don't know, or may have dropped the ball. To value yourself enough to recognise imperfect as human, to set boundaries around workload, and assert your own needs for space and recovery.
The good news is the key to professional growth isn't about being perfect; it's about making progress. Notice the progress you make, recognise your strengths, and aim for 'good enough' rather than perfect.
Try aiming for 80%, rather than 150% every single day. There's a good chance that your version of 80% will far exceed what is enough. Decide each day what 'enough' realistically looks like, so you can switch off and feel satisfied.
Embrace "progress, not perfection" as your new ally in professional development and strategic leadership.
What resonates for you?
What advice would you give?
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