Perfectionism is 'Largely Destructive' for Your Career: Study

While perfectionism is certainly imperative at times to produce excellent outputs at work, it is not without perils.

A recent report released by the Personality and Social Psychology Review reveals that perfection is closely linked to burnout -- a syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment that occurs among individuals who work with people.

Originally, education and sports were fields the findings applied to. However, due to the performance-outcome theme, the study is also found to be distinctly and extremely pertinent in a modern organizational setting.

Lead author, associate professor and head of Taught Postgraduate Programmes at York St. John University, Dr. Andrew Hill, purports that perfectionists are difficult to deal with in the office.

"Too often people confuse perfectionism with more desirable features such as being conscientious. Rather than being more productive, perfectionists are likely to find the workplace quite difficult and stressful," he said.

Conventional wisdom deems quality work as more valuable than a quick and speedy turnover. Professionally, however, this hinders one's long-term productivity. Dr. Thomas Curran, lecturer in sports psychology at the University of Bath, adds, "As a society we tend to hold perfectionism as a sign of virtue or high-achievement. Yet our findings show that perfectionism is a largely destructive trait. We suggest its effects can be managed and organisations must be clear that perfection is not a criterium of success. Instead, diligence, flexibility and perseverance are far better qualities."

LaRae Quy, a mental toughness expert and former FBI agent who published "Five Toxic Beliefs About Perfection That Ruin Careers" furthers, "The desire for perfection will cripple our need to adapt to fast-moving situations where minds need to remain nimble and flexible."

Billion dollar companies have realized this and have implemented efforts to counter this tendency by rewarding failure. As cited by Forbes, P&G has their "heroic failure award," TATA has a "dare to try award," Supercell (the gaming company behind Clash of Clans) cracks open a bottle of champagne every time a game fails as well as Google X (an innovation lab within Google) are just some of the many companies who gives out cash prizes and trophies to people who foul up.

In this way, the fear of failure will diminish and the drive for innovation will be sustained. The researchers also suggest coupling these with work-life balance and a working environment conducive to work. Such efforts will help mitigate the negative effects associated with perfectionism.