Every organization wants a focused and committed employee. With perfectionism at work, some employees are likely to perform better. A perfectionist pays a lot of attention to one project, taking more time than required to finish the task. Unfortunately, this could lag the company behind, especially if they had set goals. So, what is perfectionism, and how do leaders manage these types of team members?

Managing perfectionists is pretty simple. When you identify one, work with them to maximize their potential. Ensure that they are not controlled by their fear of failure. You can also urge them to entrust their work to others.ย 

Although most employers want to get perfect employees, perfectionism at work can have both positive and negative impacts. Take a look. #propanespecialty Click To Tweet

What is a Perfectionist?

A perfectionist is someone who sets high standards for themselves and is keen to produce excellent work. There are two types: an adaptive and maladaptive perfectionist. Adaptive perfectionism is healthy because it ensures they produce high-quality work and grow.

One of the maladaptive perfectionistic tendencies is high criticism of themselves and their colleagues. Their fear of failing and thirst for being perfect gives them anxiety which can lower their productivity.ย 

The Strength of Precision

Precision is the urge to be accurate and perfect. Moderate precision ensures there is a commitment to work, which leads to the organization’s success. It also ensures that the end product of the task meets client’s expectations, retaining their loyalty and attracting more customers.ย 

Weakness of Idealism

Idealism is the hunt for perfectionism. Although it is good to give the best results in a task, it can affect productivity. Striving to be perfect wastes a lot of time in one task, affecting the rest of the team, especially if you share work.

Perfectionists also find it hard to meet deadlines, leading to failure to achieve the organization’s goals. It also affects one’s health and can lead to procrastination, anxiety, and depression. Not having the desired results can lower a perfectionist’s self-esteem.ย 

Match Perfectionists With the Right Roles

Perfectionists have great attention to detail, so putting them in charge of large projects will take extra time. If time is not an issue, perfectionists are great for large projects. But, if you are on a timetable, assigning them small detail-oriented tasks allows them to exercise their strengths.

Contact us today for more tips on how to manage idealists.