Do you ever feel like good enough is never quite enough? Like you’re chasing a moving target called perfect and it’s always just one step ahead?
Many leaders struggle with perfectionism quietly, while others wear it proudly like a badge of honor. Either way, it can be both a motivator and a mental trap that leaves high achievers feeling depleted despite their success.
The surprising truth? Research shows there are literally no differences in job performance between perfectionists and non-perfectionists. So why all the extra effort when it’s not improving results—and might actually be hindering them?
Gayle Lantz speaks with Dr. Tara Cousineau, a Harvard-trained psychologist, executive coach, and self-proclaimed recovering perfectionist. She’s the author of the recently released book, “The Perfectionist’s Dilemma.”
Dr. Cousineau offers a fresh perspective on perfectionism in leadership. It’s not about getting rid of perfectionism—it’s about transforming it. Learning how to drop the suffering and find more peace without losing your edge.
She shares insights from 25 years of working with high achievers and reveals the three key patterns of perfectionism that show up in executive circles, along with practical strategies for transformation.
This episode covers:
- The three research-backed categories of perfectionism and how they show up in leadership
- Why perfectionism is actually protection—and what it’s protecting you from
- The difference between precision and perfection in high-stakes professions
- How excellence-seeking and failure-avoiding perfectionists perform equally (spoiler: not better)
- The concept of “excellencism”—pursuing high-quality outcomes with flexibility and self-trust
- Practical strategies for nervous system regulation and self-compassion
- The 80% rule and recognizing the point of diminishing returns
- Why finding trusted spaces to share your struggles can be transformative
Dr. Cousineau challenges listeners to see perfectionism not as a fixed trait, but as a pattern that can be transformed—keeping the discipline, passion, and focus while releasing the suffering that often comes with it.
LINKS:
Previous CEO on the Go Episodes:
Fear Less, Speak More: Conquering Performance Anxiety with Jimmy Cannon (#257)
From Relentless Striving to Radical Self-Acceptance with Dr. Laura Gallaher (#256)