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Oh Perfection Most Foul

The only colleague I ever heard harp on statistics about minimum workout times was a devout couch potato. He planned to meet that daily minimum some day—then 45 minutes—for the perfect workout. But because he couldn’t go from 0 to 45 perfectly, the only workout he opted for was working his remote.

That’s how perfectionism often works. It can be downright paralyzing. And when you’re partnered with a perfectionist the result can be a working relationship that is far from perfect.

Their perfectionism usually means they have a difficult time meeting deadlines because their quest for perfection adds unnecessary time to their work. Their fear of making a wrong decision leaves them indecisive. Trying to reach a consensus could exhaust you.

For your own peace of mind, you’ll have to take an active role in assuring the project’s success. Suggest an outline and pacing to build momentum.

Tell the perfectionist that you appreciate the great care he takes with his work, but remind him that work that comes in late is far from perfect.