A Reflection On Perfectionism

We, the GenX bankers, grew up in an environment where missing the right punctuation in the draft of a letter was considered a grave mistake. During those early days in banking, we learned that the only way to produce something was the "perfect" way. This mindset had its merits as we developed a keen eye for detail and, over time and practice, could quickly point out errors. We would listen with awe to stories of how a colleague’s draft was literally thrown off the table—a hard lesson ensuring that mistakes were rarely repeated.

Times have changed, and such methods of learning are no longer the norm.

For some "Drivers" (personality types), getting the task accomplished is more important than doing it perfectly. I am grateful for having experienced both worlds: the traditional, dogmatic approach to management and the more flexible, result-oriented practices influenced by MNC banks operating in India during that period. I also attribute my evolution to the international exposure I’ve gained throughout my career.

Over time, we have embraced agile ways of working—characterized by low hierarchies and empowered cross-functional teams. While I remain thankful for the "attention training" that taught me precision, I’ve learned that people perform their best in a fear-free environment, unafraid of making mistakes. This freedom doesn’t compromise integrity but fosters innovation and productivity.

For further insights, here’s an interesting read on perfectionism: The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown.

You may also like reading this..https://www.acchamber.com/the-curse-of-perfectionism-why-it-hinders-workplace-productivity/?utm_source=chatgpt.com 

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