Is Perfectionism a Self-Esteem Issue in Leadership?

Perfectionism is often seen as a positive trait in leadership—driven leaders, holding themselves to the highest standards. But in reality, perfectionism can be a major stumbling block, and often, it's deeply rooted in self-esteem issues.

The Link Between Perfectionism and Self-Esteem:

Fear of Failure

Perfectionism is frequently driven by a fear of failure. Leaders who struggle with self-esteem often believe that any mistake will expose them as inadequate. This fear makes them set impossibly high standards and become overly critical of themselves. Psychologically, perfectionism becomes a defence mechanism, an attempt to prove their worth by being flawless.

Need for Validation

Many perfectionist leaders rely on external validation to feel good about their achievements. They are not just motivated by personal excellence but by a deep need for approval from others. If they’re not constantly exceeding expectations, they feel unworthy, fuelling more perfectionist behaviours. This constant need for validation points to a fragile self-esteem.

Overworking as a Coping Mechanism

Perfectionists often overwork to compensate for their feelings of inadequacy. They believe that by doing more, they’ll feel better about themselves. Yet, the bar keeps moving higher, and no amount of success ever feels good enough.This never-ending pursuit of perfection is a sign that their self-worth is tied to their achievements.

Besides the fact that perfectionism may lead to burnout, depression, and/or anxiety, it hurts leadership instead of helping it! Here are major side effects:

• Paralysing the operation by overanalysing every decision
• Micromanagement

If you relate, book a free chemistry call with me today to explore how my coaching approach can help you develop a healthier, more balanced approach to leadership.