The phrase “If you seek perfection, you will find anxiety; if you seek effectiveness, you will achieve results” resonates deeply with me because it encapsulates a fundamental truth about leadership and team management. In my experience as a CEO and investor, I have learned that the pursuit of perfection can become a trap that leads to anxiety and burnout.
What is Perfect?
We all have an idea of what it means to be perfect, influenced by social, professional, and even personal expectations. This unattainable standard pushes us beyond our limits, often putting our mental health and well-being on the back burner. Perfection, after all, is subjective and, more importantly, unattainable. Perfectionism is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it drives individuals to strive for excellence; on the other, it can lead to paralyzing anxiety and exhaustion.
Brené Brown, a renowned researcher at the University of Houston who studies concepts like courage, vulnerability, and perfectionism, expresses this simply in her book “The Gifts of Imperfection”: “Perfection is the enemy of good.” She emphasizes that pursuing perfection is not only unrealistic but also detrimental to our mental health and overall well-being.
In my early years as an entrepreneur, I fell into the perfectionism trap. I believed that delivering flawless results was the only way to succeed. However, this mentality led to immense stress and a constant feeling of inadequacy. No matter how hard I worked or how well I performed, it never seemed to be enough. Perfectionism can hide a poor self-concept and a desperate need for external validation.
Those with healthy self-esteem understand that they are not perfect and that they can make mistakes. They learn from criticism instead of being overwhelmed by it. This cycle can trap individuals in self-criticism and frustration, where every mistake is magnified, and every success is minimized. This mindset becomes a virus for the leader and, consequently, for the team, turning the work environment into a toxic space.
It’s Better to Be Effective
Instead of chasing perfection, I propose focusing on effectiveness. Effectiveness doesn’t mean doing things perfectly; it means doing them in a way that produces tangible and positive results. It’s about prioritizing tasks, managing time wisely, and learning from mistakes without punishing ourselves for them.
An effective leader recognizes that progress is more important than perfection. They foster an environment where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities, and constructive feedback is a tool for growth, not a source of fear. In my companies, I have implemented several practices to promote this mindset:
- Open Communication Spaces: All team members have the opportunity to speak with me directly, without fear of repercussions. They see these spaces as moments of trust where honest and constructive feedback is given.
- Culture of Continuous Learning: We encourage training and professional development. We provide the tools to be so effective that they can understand mistakes as case studies to improve processes and strategies.
- Remembering Balance: We avoid burnout by promoting a healthy work-life balance. This includes flexible time policies, mental health support, and team activities that strengthen relationships outside the work environment.
Focusing on effectiveness ensures better results in a healthier and more sustainable work environment. Effective teams are more resilient, innovative, and adaptable to changes, situations that entrepreneurs must face daily.
Effectiveness fosters a sense of achievement and personal satisfaction that the pursuit of perfection can never offer.
Characteristics of Effective Teams
Effective teams know how to set priorities well and allocate the right resources to important initiatives. They have a clear understanding of where their work fits into the company’s overall strategy and goals and use that knowledge to inform what work to tackle and where to allocate resources.
In general, effective teams are goal-oriented, meet their OKRs, and invest in results, focusing on the needs they must meet for each customer.
Efficiency and Effectiveness Go Hand in Hand
For a team to be truly great, it must possess both qualities: efficiency and effectiveness. An efficient team that isn’t effective can complete tasks quickly but may have prioritized the wrong strategies. Conversely, an effective team that isn’t efficient can do the right work but not at the ideal speed.
The ideal is to create a team that is both efficient and effective. But you have to start somewhere. Trying to implement both methodologies simultaneously may not yield the desired effect. That’s why I recommend starting by addressing effectiveness before moving on to efficiency.
By prioritizing effectiveness, you ensure that the team works on initiatives that tip the scale towards the most relevant goals. Then, once effectiveness has been established as a practice, you can optimize for efficiency.
To all leaders and entrepreneurs, I say: seek effectiveness, celebrate small achievements with your people, and learn from every experience along the way.
Carlos Cobián
