Why Perfectionists Get Stuck in Their Careers, and Struggle as Leaders

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to high achievers, people who excel, set ambitious goals, and refuse to settle for mediocrity.

These are the individuals who were top of their class, always prepared, and often praised for their impeccable results.

But here’s what I’ve learned, both from my own journey and from working with coaching clients:

Being “the best” doesn’t automatically make you a great leader.

Perfectionism—the very trait that fuels academic and early career success—can hold people back and derail their growth into effective, inspiring leaders.

Why do Perfectionists Struggle?

↳ They’re masters of preparation, but they fear failure.

Perfectionists thrive in controlled environments where they can prepare, plan, and execute flawlessly….
But, leadership is rarely predictable. As a leader, you have to navigate uncertainty, take risks, and—yes—fail sometimes.
Perfectionists, on the other hand, often see failure as a personal flaw.
They avoid it at all costs, which limits their ability to innovate, adapt, or make bold decisions.

↳ They focus on details, not the big picture.

Perfectionists excel at getting the details right, but leadership demands vision.
Leaders need to inspire, communicate a compelling purpose, and guide their teams toward shared goals.
Focusing too much on “getting it right” can lead to micromanagement, frustration, and a lack of trust within the team.

↳ They struggle to delegate and empower.

A perfectionist often believes, “If I don’t do it, it won’t be done right.”
This mindset prevents them from delegating effectively.
Instead of empowering their teams to grow, they keep too much control, limiting team potential and exhausting themselves in the process.

↳ They seek validation over impact.

Perfectionists are often driven by external validation—grades, awards, and praise.
But leadership is about service, not self. It’s about creating impact, not receiving applause.

When a perfectionist prioritizes being “right” over making the best decision for their team, they lose credibility and trust as a leader.

What’s Holding Perfectionists Back?

At the core of perfectionism lies a set of internal saboteurs—negative thought patterns that drive fear, control, and self-doubt:

↳ The Stickler: Obsessed with order and perfection, it constantly whispers, “It’s not good enough.”

↳ The Controller: Fears losing control and believes everything must go their way.

↳ The Hyper-Achiever: Ties self-worth to external success, making every failure feel personal.

↳The Pleaser: Struggles to say no and prioritizes others’ needs over their own, leading to burnout.

These saboteurs sabotage growth, resilience, and leadership potential.

What Can Perfectionists Do to Thrive?

The first step is awareness. You need to recognize the saboteurs driving your perfectionism and learn to disempower them.

Here’s how:

↳ Shift from perfection to progress.

Ask yourself, “What’s the worst that could happen if this isn’t perfect?”
Focus on learning, adapting, and taking action rather than waiting for the perfect plan.

↳ Embrace failure as feedback.

Reframe failure as a necessary step toward growth. Great leaders don’t avoid failure—they learn from it.

↳ Trust your team.

Delegation isn’t just about reducing your workload. It’s about empowering your team to contribute, grow, and take ownership of their roles.

↳ Focus on impact, not applause. Measure success by the impact you create, not the recognition you receive.

Breaking free from the perfectionism trap isn’t just about mindset shifts, it’s about building the mental muscles to thrive under pressure and lead with impact.

This is where the Positive Intelligence Power Team program makes a difference.

By strengthening the core mental fitness muscles—Self-Command, Saboteur Interception, and Sage Activation—you’ll not only silence the saboteurs like the Stickler, Hyper-Achiever, and Controller but also unlock resilience, creativity, and authentic leadership.

This program doesn’t just help individuals; it transforms entire teams by enhancing:

• Performance: From surviving to thriving, with clarity and focus.

• Wellbeing: Reducing burnout and building mental agility.

• Relationships: Creating trust, collaboration, and mutual accountability.

If you believe It’s time to move from self-doubt to confidence and from stress to sustainable growth,

Join me in exploring how the Positive Intelligence Power Team program can create

a lasting impact for you and your team!

To your success!

Leila Boutaleb-Brousse
Eylee Growth