Excellence Is Not Perfection: Leading Without the Pressure to Be Flawless

Lindsey Griffith
Jun 20
3 min read

Let go of the myth that perfect leadership exists. Aim higher —

aim for excellence

The Trap of Perfection in Modern Leadership

I used to think that if I got every decision right, I’d be a great leader. That being buttoned-up, always prepared, always poised, somehow made me more credible.

Turns out, that mindset nearly burned me out — and dragged my team down with me.

Because perfection isn’t leadership. It’s performance. And while it might look impressive from the outside, it’s often driven by fear, control, and a deep need to avoid failure. This post is your permission slip to let go of flawlessness and start leading with focus — and excellence.

Defining the Terms: Perfection vs. Excellence

Let’s get clear on what we’re talking about.

Perfection

Rigid, fear-based, often performative.
Rooted in control, image, and fear of failure.
Looks polished on the outside, but brittle beneath.
Drains energy and suppresses growth.

Excellence

Adaptive, growth-based, and resilient.
Rooted in curiosity, improvement, and care.
Looks messy at times, but it’s built to last.
Creates momentum and multiplies impact.

“Perfection is the enemy of progress.” — Winston Churchill

Why Leaders Confuse the Two

For many high-achievers, perfectionism is a survival skill we picked up early.

We were rewarded for getting the gold star, for catching mistakes others missed, for always being “on.” When we entered the workforce, those same habits were applauded — labeled as “professionalism” or “high standards.”

Add in social media’s highlight reels and perfectly filtered leadership posts, and it’s no wonder we confuse polished for powerful. We internalize the idea that credibility is earned through flawlessness, when in fact, it’s built through trust, humility, and consistency.

The Cost of Chasing Perfection

Here’s what chasing perfection actually creates:

Burnout and constant second-guessing.
Micromanagement that erodes team trust.
Decision paralysis, where progress halts over minor details.
Stalled innovation, because no one wants to fail out loud.
A culture of silence, where learning is replaced by fear.

The pursuit of perfection doesn’t make you a better leader. It makes you a more exhausted one.

The Value of Pursuing Excellence Instead

When you shift your goal from perfect to excellent, everything changes.

Excellence is sustainable; perfection is exhausting.
Excellence makes space for learning, iteration, and growth.
Excellence invites your team to take ownership. To try, to fail, and to improve.
Excellence creates psychological safety, because the goal isn’t flawlessness — it’s forward movement.

Perfection might win awards. But excellence builds movements.

Excellence in Practice

So what does excellence actually look like?

What it looks like:

Setting clear expectations, then giving room for flexibility.
Owning mistakes — without shame or blame.
Shipping the work before it’s “perfect” so you can learn and refine.
Celebrating progress, not just polished results.

What it sounds like:

“This is strong — what would take it from good to great?”
“What’s the minimum viable version we can move forward with?”
“Let’s test and refine.”

This isn’t about lowering your standards. It’s about raising your expectations — for what’s possible when we lead with courage and care.

A Note for the Perfectionist Leader

If you see yourself in these words, you’re not broken — you’ve just been over-conditioned.

Perfectionism is often a trauma response. A way of surviving in environments where mistakes weren’t safe, or success was the only currency. I’ve been there too. And the truth is: unlearning takes time.

But here’s the good news — compassion is part of excellence. Especially compassion for yourself.

You don’t have to be flawless to be effective. You just have to keep growing.

A New Leadership Standard

Don’t lower the bar — raise the goal.

Perfection says, “Don’t mess it up.” Excellence says, “Let’s make it better.”

Your team doesn’t need your performance. They need your presence. Your discernment. Your excellence.

Not your exhaustion.