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Progress Over Perfection: Leadership That Delivers Results
The cost of perfectionism
John Eades
21 Aug
Some leaders obsess over mistakes.
Every report, every presentation, every decision is combed for flaws and micromanaged to ensure perfection. On the surface, this looks like a commitment to excellence. In reality, it frustrates people, slows progress, and makes work harder than it needs to be.
If you care about performance and results, this week’s insights are for you.
I. High standards fuel performance. Expecting perfection paralyzes it.
What it means:
High standards are different from perfection. They don’t demand flawlessness; they demand effort, growth, and accountability. A standard, by definition, is what good looks like. But good leaders define what good looks like, great leaders define what great looks like.
High standards stretch people without breaking them. They inspire confidence because team members feel trusted to improve and to meet the expectations. They also create clarity, which fuels performance.
II. Teams take on the personality of their leader, and their behavior is shaped by the culture.
What it means:
Leaders set the tone. Teams look to their example and words for the urgency they bring to work daily. If that wasn’t enough, the consistency of their behavior is directly tied to the culture the leader created.
This isn’t meant to scare you, but to wake you up to the power of your leadership.
III. You aren’t an effective leader by expecting perfection. You’re an effective leader by looking for positive progress.
What it means:
One survey found that 68% of employees believe perfectionism leads to burnout. If that wasn’t enough, it also decreases employee engagement. So, instead of raising performance, perfectionist leaders shrink it. They deliver a great product in the short term but hurt the team in the long-term.
Perfectionism is an enormous trap in leadership.
Use your gifts,
John Eades
CEO | LearnLoft | The Sales Infrastructure
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High Standards vs. Perfectionism (Podcast)
High standards fuel performance. Expecting perfection paralyzes it.
In this episode, John Eades shares a story from his trip to Scotland and what playing Muirfield Golf Course taught him about leadership. You’ll learn why leaders fall into the trap of perfectionism, how it impacts teams, and why progress is a better path than flawlessness. John unpacks the difference between high standards and perfectionism and gives three practical ways to lead with standards that inspire growth without creating fear or burnout.
If you’re ready to set the bar high without suffocating your team, this episode is for you.
Here Are Some Ways We Could Partner:
Customized Leadership Development Programs: Bring the Accelerate Leadership Program or Catalyst for Growth Program in-house for a customized experience for your team members. Programs include virtual or in-person instructor-led training, a Leadership Growth Plan, and group coaching to ensure real-world mastery.
1:1 Coaching: Work 1-on-1 with me or one of our certified coaches to achieve your goals, strengthen critical skills, and address your most pressing challenges. This 6-month program focuses on mindset and execution for tangible, lasting outcomes. Show me more
Speaking: We are now booking keynotes for the fall of 2025. Hit reply on this note, or check out some of our recent talks here.
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