Dear all,
The Debate on Perfectionism
Lately, I find that a section of the training community has been extolling the virtues of not being perfect. Through blogs, posts circulated on WA, or videos on YouTube, they advocate for not chasing perfection. They say that the pursuit of perfection causes stress and are vocal about the drawbacks of being perfect.
Therefore, the question arises: is the pursuit of perfectionism that bad?
Examining Both Sides of Perfectionism
Every coin has two sides, and to provide a balanced perspective, it would have been beneficial if they had included an examination of the benefits of being a perfectionist. I am yet to come across a balanced view. The purpose of this article is to bring forth the other side.
Customer Expectations and Perfection
Whether we are satisfied with being imperfect or not, do we, as customers, not expect 100% foolproof products or services? How many of us are ready to buy television sets, refrigerators, or any other gadgets that work at 99.9% efficiency? How many of us are okay with misrouting our telephone calls, and the network service provider questions the customer for expecting perfection?
The Workplace and Imperfection
Influenced by the theory of imperfections, how many employees are ready to condone the HR Department if it fails to process their monthly salary? In fact, if an HR professional justifies forgetting the processing of salary for being imperfect, it could cost an HR professional his/her job!
The Example of the Mumbai Dabbawalas
Leadership trainers often use the example of the Mumbai Dabbawalas in their corporate training for a reason. It is said that even Six Sigma is inadequate to measure their efficiency. The question is: did they achieve this by aiming for perfection or imperfection?
Additionally, the argument for being imperfect is that perfectionism promotes procrastination. However, it is widely acknowledged that the Mumbai Dabbawalas are not known for procrastination.
Historical Examples of Perfectionism
About 20-25 years ago, it was common to use a data storage device known as the Floppy Disk. The famous Japanese company, Sony, exported 16 billion pieces of Floppy Disks, but not a single exported piece was defective. However, business history does not tell us that Sony's managers procrastinated.
Elements of Perfectionism
The three elements of perfectionism are precision, accuracy, and timeliness. At the core of the triangle formed by these elements is consistency. If the employees do not adhere to the four elements of the triangle, then will it be possible for them to provide foolproof products or services?
Perfectionism in Personal Achievements
Not just in the business context, but a quest for perfectionism is pursued in a personal capacity also. Lionel Messi became a living legend because of his "perfect" goals, and so is Sachin Tendulkar for his perfect hits or strokes. If they had found the merits of being imperfect, would they have acquired world-level fame?
Operations Management and Perfectionism
The theory of operations management requires the application of analytical tools to optimize costs, reduce the consumption of resources, or reduce the process turnaround time. In the early era of the industrial revolution, if being imperfect had been valued, these disciplines of studies would not have taken birth at all.
Consequences of Imperfection
Being imperfect means giving allowances for errors. However, someone's errors impact the work of others. Over time, those who are at the receiving end of the errors could get frustrated. The expression of frustration, if not done professionally, could vitiate the interpersonal environment. How many of us are ready to put up with the cascading effect of being imperfect?
Perfectionism in Business History
If one looks at business history, one finds that Fortune 500 companies have a relentless pursuit of perfection. In fact, a few Fortune 500 companies have become industrial empires because, for them, "perfection" is a little dilute word. They expect their employees to be far more than perfect!
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
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8071The Debate on Perfectionism
Lately, I find that a section of the training community has been extolling the virtues of not being perfect. Through blogs, posts circulated on WA, or videos on YouTube, they advocate for not chasing perfection. They say that the pursuit of perfection causes stress and are vocal about the drawbacks of being perfect.
Therefore, the question arises: is the pursuit of perfectionism that bad?
Examining Both Sides of Perfectionism
Every coin has two sides, and to provide a balanced perspective, it would have been beneficial if they had included an examination of the benefits of being a perfectionist. I am yet to come across a balanced view. The purpose of this article is to bring forth the other side.
Customer Expectations and Perfection
Whether we are satisfied with being imperfect or not, do we, as customers, not expect 100% foolproof products or services? How many of us are ready to buy television sets, refrigerators, or any other gadgets that work at 99.9% efficiency? How many of us are okay with misrouting our telephone calls, and the network service provider questions the customer for expecting perfection?
The Workplace and Imperfection
Influenced by the theory of imperfections, how many employees are ready to condone the HR Department if it fails to process their monthly salary? In fact, if an HR professional justifies forgetting the processing of salary for being imperfect, it could cost an HR professional his/her job!
The Example of the Mumbai Dabbawalas
Leadership trainers often use the example of the Mumbai Dabbawalas in their corporate training for a reason. It is said that even Six Sigma is inadequate to measure their efficiency. The question is: did they achieve this by aiming for perfection or imperfection?
Additionally, the argument for being imperfect is that perfectionism promotes procrastination. However, it is widely acknowledged that the Mumbai Dabbawalas are not known for procrastination.
Historical Examples of Perfectionism
About 20-25 years ago, it was common to use a data storage device known as the Floppy Disk. The famous Japanese company, Sony, exported 16 billion pieces of Floppy Disks, but not a single exported piece was defective. However, business history does not tell us that Sony's managers procrastinated.
Elements of Perfectionism
The three elements of perfectionism are precision, accuracy, and timeliness. At the core of the triangle formed by these elements is consistency. If the employees do not adhere to the four elements of the triangle, then will it be possible for them to provide foolproof products or services?
Perfectionism in Personal Achievements
Not just in the business context, but a quest for perfectionism is pursued in a personal capacity also. Lionel Messi became a living legend because of his "perfect" goals, and so is Sachin Tendulkar for his perfect hits or strokes. If they had found the merits of being imperfect, would they have acquired world-level fame?
Operations Management and Perfectionism
The theory of operations management requires the application of analytical tools to optimize costs, reduce the consumption of resources, or reduce the process turnaround time. In the early era of the industrial revolution, if being imperfect had been valued, these disciplines of studies would not have taken birth at all.
Consequences of Imperfection
Being imperfect means giving allowances for errors. However, someone's errors impact the work of others. Over time, those who are at the receiving end of the errors could get frustrated. The expression of frustration, if not done professionally, could vitiate the interpersonal environment. How many of us are ready to put up with the cascading effect of being imperfect?
Perfectionism in Business History
If one looks at business history, one finds that Fortune 500 companies have a relentless pursuit of perfection. In fact, a few Fortune 500 companies have become industrial empires because, for them, "perfection" is a little dilute word. They expect their employees to be far more than perfect!
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
Acknowledge(1)Amend(0)
Dear Dinesh,
Your question is insightful and addresses a critical debate within the professional community regarding the pursuit of perfectionism versus accepting imperfections.
The pursuit of perfection, in essence, isn't necessarily a bad thing, especially in areas such as product development, service delivery, and operations management, where precision, accuracy, and timeliness are of utmost importance. As you rightly pointed out, customers usually expect a 100% foolproof product or service.
However, the issue often arises when the quest for perfection turns into an obsession, leading to undue stress, burnout, and a negative impact on mental health. It is in this context that the idea of embracing imperfections is often promoted.
🎯 Here's a practical approach to balance the two:
1. 👉 Set High Standards: Aim for perfection in crucial areas where precision and accuracy are paramount, such as product quality, service delivery, etc.
2. 👉 Accept Human Limitations: Understand that humans are prone to making mistakes. Create an environment where employees feel safe to accept and learn from their mistakes.
3. 👉 Prioritize Mental Health: Promote a healthy work-life balance. Encourage employees to take breaks and recharge, which can ultimately enhance productivity and performance.
4. 👉 Foster Continuous Learning: Emphasize on continuous improvement rather than perfection. Encourage employees to learn from their mistakes and improve over time.
5. 👉 Encourage Collaboration: Promote teamwork and collaboration. This can help in identifying and correcting errors, leading to a more 'perfect' end result.
6. 👉 Feedback and Recognition: Regularly provide constructive feedback and recognize employees' efforts and improvements. This can motivate them to strive for perfection without feeling overwhelmed.
About procrastination, it's crucial to note that it's not a trait of perfectionism but rather a symptom of fear of failure or fear of not meeting the high standards set. Addressing this fear and promoting a positive and supportive work environment can help in mitigating procrastination.
In conclusion, while the pursuit of perfection is important in certain aspects, it's equally crucial to accept that humans are fallible and to create a work environment that promotes learning, growth, and mental well-being.
I hope this provides a balanced perspective on the debate.
😊 Keep striving for excellence while embracing the journey of continuous improvement!
Best
From India, Gurugram
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Your question is insightful and addresses a critical debate within the professional community regarding the pursuit of perfectionism versus accepting imperfections.
The pursuit of perfection, in essence, isn't necessarily a bad thing, especially in areas such as product development, service delivery, and operations management, where precision, accuracy, and timeliness are of utmost importance. As you rightly pointed out, customers usually expect a 100% foolproof product or service.
However, the issue often arises when the quest for perfection turns into an obsession, leading to undue stress, burnout, and a negative impact on mental health. It is in this context that the idea of embracing imperfections is often promoted.
🎯 Here's a practical approach to balance the two:
1. 👉 Set High Standards: Aim for perfection in crucial areas where precision and accuracy are paramount, such as product quality, service delivery, etc.
2. 👉 Accept Human Limitations: Understand that humans are prone to making mistakes. Create an environment where employees feel safe to accept and learn from their mistakes.
3. 👉 Prioritize Mental Health: Promote a healthy work-life balance. Encourage employees to take breaks and recharge, which can ultimately enhance productivity and performance.
4. 👉 Foster Continuous Learning: Emphasize on continuous improvement rather than perfection. Encourage employees to learn from their mistakes and improve over time.
5. 👉 Encourage Collaboration: Promote teamwork and collaboration. This can help in identifying and correcting errors, leading to a more 'perfect' end result.
6. 👉 Feedback and Recognition: Regularly provide constructive feedback and recognize employees' efforts and improvements. This can motivate them to strive for perfection without feeling overwhelmed.
About procrastination, it's crucial to note that it's not a trait of perfectionism but rather a symptom of fear of failure or fear of not meeting the high standards set. Addressing this fear and promoting a positive and supportive work environment can help in mitigating procrastination.
In conclusion, while the pursuit of perfection is important in certain aspects, it's equally crucial to accept that humans are fallible and to create a work environment that promotes learning, growth, and mental well-being.
I hope this provides a balanced perspective on the debate.
😊 Keep striving for excellence while embracing the journey of continuous improvement!
Best
From India, Gurugram
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