The Impact of Toxic Perfectionism on Teams
When a leader tends to be perfectionistic, it not only increases their mental load but also affects team members. These individuals feel constantly monitored and pressured to avoid mistakes, creating a stressful work environment.
According to a study by Wellhub, 55% of Mexicans believe that work-related stress is the primary cause of mental health issues. This highlights the importance of addressing toxic perfectionism in leadership roles.
Paola Saucedo, founder of The Working Method consultancy, notes that toxic perfectionism is particularly prevalent among leaders due to the pressure of their positions.
- Consequences of Toxic Perfectionism on Teams:
- Increased mental load for the leader
- Constant feeling of being monitored and pressured among team members
- Avoidance of new ideas and innovation due to fear of mistakes
- High stress levels, with three out of four people reporting daily life impact from stress, according to Ipsos’s World Health Day report
- Accept Mistakes: Recognize that errors are inevitable and view them as learning opportunities rather than reasons for punishment.
- Build Trust: Confidence in your team’s ability to achieve efficient results is key. A leader’s role should be guiding the process rather than micromanaging.
- Learn to Delegate: Overemphasizing workloads due to a lack of trust is a characteristic of perfectionism. Delegating tasks not only prevents these behaviors but also fosters teamwork.
- Q: What is toxic perfectionism in leadership? A: Toxic perfectionism occurs when a leader’s pursuit of flawlessness results in excessive control, constant monitoring, and an inability to accept mistakes, negatively impacting both the leader’s mental health and their team’s productivity and creativity.
- Q: How does toxic perfectionism affect teams? A: Team members feel pressured to avoid mistakes, leading to a reluctance to innovate and share new ideas. This results in increased stress levels and hinders overall team performance.
- Q: What are the steps to overcome toxic perfectionism? A: Accept mistakes as learning opportunities, build trust in your team’s capabilities, and learn to delegate tasks effectively.
“Excessive perfectionism harms the team. We start demanding more, not allowing them to make decisions independently, and ultimately stifling proactivity,” Saucedo explains.
Three Steps to Overcome Toxic Perfectionism
Saucedo emphasizes that toxic perfectionism should not be mistaken for quality. The difference lies in accepting mistakes and understanding that objectives may not always be achieved, but having a plan of action is crucial.
McKinsey reports that 83% of high-performing company leaders encourage their teams to try new ideas, embrace failure, and learn from the outcomes.
