Perfectionism can be a significant roadblock to success. Why is business networking one of the most effective ways to overcome it?

Perfectionism is often seen as a desirable personality trait, but new research suggests that it may actually be holding you back from achieving your career goals. According to a study published in the "Journal of Personality and Social Psychology," perfectionism can lead to anxiety, depression, and stress, which can interfere with your ability to succeed professionally. So if you're someone who struggles with perfectionism, it's time to start rethinking your approach. Here are a few tips for overcoming perfectionism and achieving success in your career.

It's easy to get caught up in the perfectionism trap. It prevents people from finding meaning in their work, and they often end up feeling burnt out or stressed because of it!

The best way to overcome these issues has been by developing good habits on both sides: being more relaxed about deadlines so that those pressure are taken off; but also making sure challenging tasks get done the first time accurately around - even if you have

In EGN, we have a "Fail fast" policy where we encourage our team members to explore new ideas, and if they make mistakes, we do not blame them. Instead, we ask, "what can we learn from this?" how can we improve from here? We have weekly team meetings where we openly share our successes and failures, and we can learn from both.

Are you a perfectionistic manager who is never satisfied and always demands more from your team? Or are you someone who sets high standards but understands that mistakes happen and allows them to be corrected? Whatever your style, understanding your perfectionism is key to improving how you manage. 

How can you work on improving your perfectionism?

The first step is recognizing that your perfectionism might be holding you back. Once you've done that, start to experiment with different techniques for managing it. Some people find cognitive-behavioural therapy helpful, while others find relaxation or mindfulness meditation useful. There are also a number of self-help books and websites devoted to helping people manage their perfectionism. As with anything else, finding what works for you will take some experimentation, but eventually, you should be able to find a way of managing the perfectionism that allows you to flourish both professionally and personally. Do any of these tips resonate with you? What do you plan to do differently as a result?

Missed deadlines and lower productivity

The intense competition and low tolerance for errors in modern workplaces have forced managers to set exceedingly demanding performance standards. This has led to the development of a new managerial ideal in which perfectionism and hypercompetitiveness are prized. However, this ideal is not only damaging to employees' mental health but also counterproductive for organizational productivity. In order to achieve sustainable success, organizations must abandon the pursuit of perfection and instead focus on creating a healthy work environment that allows employees to flourish.

Can alienate team members and hinder communication

Studies demonstrate that peer support for perfectionists can serve as a protective factor against the negative consequences of this trait. For example, when faced with stressful situations where they were expected to perform well and achieve success without any mistakes made, and they have social support who reminded them about how demanding their standards are - these managers coped much better than those not given access to social assistance in some form.

Perfectionists need to remember that not all social interactions are about problem-solving and winning to develop more positive social experiences. They must focus on empathy instead of competing with others and giving unsolicited advice.

One study suggests that perfectionists who channel their competitive spirits into helping others finish their work enable them to foster positive interactions with others. In addition, positive peer social experiences can help reduce anxiety, depression, and overall stress from perfectionistic endeavours. This will further enhance their social skills and help them see others as collaborators instead of rivals.

Key Takeaway: positive peer social experiences

Although perfectionism can be seen as a positive trait, it can also become a roadblock to success if taken too far. In order to achieve your goals, you need to learn how to let go of the need for perfection and focus on taking action. By working on your self-confidence and accepting that you are capable of making mistakes, you will be able to move forward toward your goals without letting perfectionism hold you back. Have you ever struggled with perfectionism? What strategies have helped you overcome this obstacle?

As we've seen, positive peer social experiences are crucial for early brain development and have long-lasting effects. For businesses, this means that creating a strong sense of community is essential to attracting and retaining customers. By fostering a supportive environment where people feel comfortable interacting with one another, your company can create lasting relationships with clients and encourage word-of-mouth marketing.

One way to help business leaders navigate these changes is by forming peer groups or networking groups. These groups provide a forum for sharing best practices, brainstorming solutions to common problems, and networking with other like-minded individuals.

In today's business environment, having a solid network of contacts is more important than ever. By joining a peer group or networking group, business leaders can ensure they have the resources and support they need to succeed.

Please get in touch with us if you'd like to join one of our groups. We would love to welcome you into our community.

By becoming an EGN member, you are joining a global network of leaders with a shared ambition of making each other better – every day.