Perfection – A Myth : Lessons from a Village Kitchen

We’ve all been there—caught in the endless pursuit of perfection. Whether it’s delivering a flawless presentation, creating the perfect product, or submitting a report with zero errors, the idea of "getting everything right" haunts the corporate world. But, is this pursuit of perfection actually holding us back? Let me share a story that changed my perspective on this, and how it applies to our professional lives.

The Village Kitchen: A Lesson in Imperfection

Let’s go back to that village kitchen I mentioned earlier, where I watched an elderly woman, Aaji, cook without a recipe or a measuring spoon in sight. Everything she did seemed instinctual—no precise timing or flawless ingredients. And yet, when I tasted her meal, it was bursting with flavor, unlike anything I had ever tasted before.

What struck me the most was how little she cared about perfection. She didn’t worry about every detail being just right; her focus was on creating something with love, passion, and experience. This wasn’t Michelin-star cooking, but it was rich with authenticity. The imperfections in her process—whether it was a little too much salt or unevenly roasted spices—added character to the meal.

And here’s where it hit me: we spend so much time in our professional lives trying to achieve perfection that we often forget that it’s the imperfections that bring true value and authenticity to our work.

The Myth of Perfection in the Workplace

In the corporate world, perfectionism often sneaks in under the guise of “high standards” or “attention to detail.” While striving for excellence is important, perfectionism can be a double-edged sword. It creates stress, stifles creativity, and leads to burnout. But, more than that, it prevents progress.

Think about it—how often have projects been delayed because a team was trying to make them "perfect"? How many times have you hesitated to submit work because it wasn’t flawless? This constant pursuit of perfection slows us down, breeds frustration, and diminishes innovation.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying we should throw quality out the window. But the idea that everything must be 100% flawless before we move forward is a myth. Just like in that village kitchen, sometimes, it’s the rough edges that make our work unique and memorable.

Perfection Kills Progress

There’s a saying in the tech world: “Done is better than perfect.” This doesn’t mean cutting corners—it means understanding that perfection is often unattainable, and waiting for it can paralyze us. In fast-paced environments, especially in the corporate sector, waiting for perfection can lead to missed opportunities, delays, and a lack of innovation.

Take, for example, product development in a company. If a team waits to release a product until it's absolutely flawless, chances are they will miss the window to meet market demands. Competitors might get ahead, or customer needs might change by the time the "perfect" product is ready. In contrast, companies that adopt an iterative process, releasing products with room for improvement, not only get feedback faster but also build momentum. They can keep refining and improving based on real-world input rather than theoretical perfection.

In our personal work, perfectionism can lead to a sense of inadequacy. We delay sharing ideas in meetings because we want them to be “perfect.” We hold back on presenting solutions because they’re not foolproof. And in doing so, we miss the chance to grow, learn, and contribute.

Embrace the "Aaji Approach" in Life

Let’s circle back to Aaji’s kitchen. Her cooking wasn’t about precision—it was about instinct, experience, and care. In the corporate world, we can adopt a similar mindset by focusing on progress and value over flawless execution.

1. Done is Better than Perfect

The next time you’re working on a project or task, ask yourself: “Is this good enough to move forward?” If the answer is yes, then go ahead and submit it. Waiting for that extra layer of polish often leads to diminishing returns. If you’ve covered the essentials and met the objectives, let it go. You can always revisit and refine later.

2. Learn from Mistakes

When Aaji’s dish had a little too much salt, she didn’t stress about it—she adjusted and adapted for the next meal. In the same way, corporate mistakes aren’t the end of the world. In fact, they can be some of the best learning opportunities.

Instead of fearing mistakes, we should embrace them as part of the growth process. A culture of continuous improvement, rather than one that demands perfection from the get-go, fosters innovation. In teams, creating a safe space where people can make mistakes without fear of punishment leads to more creativity and better problem-solving.

3. Progress Over Perfection in Leadership

If you’re a manager or leader, the pressure to deliver perfect results can be intense. But here’s something to consider: by chasing perfection, you may be setting unrealistic expectations for your team. This can lead to stress, decreased morale, and reduced productivity.

Instead, aim for progress. Encourage your team to move forward with what they have, and foster a culture of iteration. Let them know it’s okay to learn and adjust along the way, just like Aaji did when she cooked without following a rigid recipe. This not only improves efficiency but also builds trust and collaboration within teams.

4. Innovation Through Imperfection

Innovation often comes from trying something new, experimenting, and—yes—failing a few times along the way. If perfection is the goal, experimentation can seem risky, and risk-taking is essential for growth.

Look at some of the world’s most innovative companies—they didn’t get everything right from the start. Apple’s first iPhone wasn’t flawless, and Tesla has had its fair share of challenges. But they embraced the process of trial and error. They focused on progress over perfection and were willing to iterate and improve as they went along.

The Human Element

At the end of the day, perfection is a myth because we, as humans, are inherently imperfect. We all have our strengths, weaknesses, and unique approaches to work. And it’s in this diversity of thought and execution that great things happen.

Think about your favourite coworker or mentor. Is it their perfection that makes them stand out, or is it their ability to solve problems, push through challenges, and adapt to changing circumstances? The best leaders and employees are not those who do everything perfectly—they’re the ones who can move forward, even when things aren’t perfect, and still create value.

Letting Go of Perfection

In the corporate world, the pursuit of perfection can often feel like the responsible thing to do. But just like in that village kitchen, the most memorable and meaningful work doesn’t come from flawless execution. It comes from doing the best you can with the resources you have, from learning and adapting, and from focusing on progress over perfection.

So, the next time you find yourself stuck, waiting for the perfect moment or the perfect result, remember Aaji’s kitchen. Her food wasn’t perfect, but it was real. It was authentic. And in its imperfections, it was unforgettable.

What can you achieve if you let go of the myth of perfection? What progress might you make if you embrace imperfection and just take the next step?