The Impact of Imperfection: A Path to Growth and Connection
Published 4 December 2024
“I’m fluent in Spanish and I confidently say I’m fluent in Spanish, and I would not have said that at the start of my career, even though I had a degree in Spanish. One, I have become much more open to the idea that fluent, for me, means communicating, and I can communicate with native speakers every single day. It’s a big part of my job. I only communicate with my clients in Spanish. So, I’m really, really proud of that because that took a lot of time and dedication, and if you don’t use it, you lose it. And then, I think I’m really glad that I continued to pursue professional development and seek out opportunities to be uncomfortable and take risks, and present and do all those––like presented conferences and stuff like that.”
Perfectionism is a double-edged sword for educators. While striving for excellence is an admirable quality, the relentless pursuit of perfection can be paralyzing. It can stifle creativity, hinder relationships, and prevent personal and professional growth. Letting go of perfectionism isn't about lowering standards; it's about prioritizing connection, authenticity, and progress over unattainable ideals.
One of the most significant pitfalls of perfectionism is its impact on communication. Many educators might hesitate to speak up in meetings, collaborate with colleagues, or even try new teaching strategies because they may fear making mistakes. But real growth happens in the space between intention and execution.
Consider this: is it better to have grammatically flawless communication that lacks warmth or to engage in heartfelt exchanges that inspire connection and understanding?
Characteristics of Perfectionists
According to Johnson et al. (2023), common characteristics of maladaptive perfectionists:
An exaggerated sense of conscientiousness and responsibility
Has low self-confidence
Extremely detail-oriented
Stays at work later than others
Doesn’t delegate tasks
Spends a lot of time making decisions
Procrastination on projects
An illustrative example comes from language learning. Fluency is not about speaking perfectly—–it’s about being understood. By accepting imperfection, language learners can confidently engage in meaningful communication with native speakers, improving both their skills and relationships. This mindset is crucial for educators working with students, colleagues, or families from diverse linguistic backgrounds. Effective communication, even with flaws, builds trust and facilitates learning.
Furthermore, perfectionism plays a role in teacher stress and often leads to burnout (Stoeber & Rennert, 2008). In fact, it is “not striving for perfection that is associated with burnout, but negative reactions to failure to achieve perfection (p. 11). Teachers invest countless hours tweaking lesson plans, grading assignments, or preparing for presentations, believing that every detail must be flawless. While attention to detail is essential, perfectionism can blind us to the fact that the most impactful moments in teaching are often unplanned—–the impromptu discussion, the teachable moment, the shared laugh. These are the connections that create a lasting impact, not a perfectly executed lesson plan.
On the flip side, letting go of perfectionism opens the door to risk-taking, growth, and innovation (Harry, 2024). When we allow ourselves to take risks, we model resilience and adaptability for our students. As educators, our willingness to step out of our comfort zones and embrace imperfection inspires others to do the same. This mindset fosters a culture of continuous improvement, where mistakes are reframed as learning opportunities rather than failures.
Five Practical Tips to Let Go of Perfectionism:
Focus on Progress, Not Perfection: Set achievable goals and celebrate small wins. Reflect on growth rather than fixating on flaws.
Prioritize Relationships Over Results: Engage in meaningful communication and collaboration, even if it isn’t perfect. Connection matters more than perfection.
Accept Mistakes as Learning Opportunities: Model vulnerability by sharing your own learning experiences with students and colleagues.
Set Boundaries for Your Time: Avoid over-preparing by identifying what is “good enough” for tasks like lesson planning and grading.
Practice Self-Compassion: Remind yourself that perfection isn’t realistic or necessary. Treat yourself with the kindness you would extend to a colleague or student.
Letting go of perfectionism is a messy journey, but it’s one that’s worth taking. When we prioritize progress over perfection, we free ourselves to build authentic relationships, try new approaches, and create learning experiences that truly resonate.
Discussion Question
How has letting go of perfectionism improved your teaching, or how could it help you take the next step in your professional journey?
Related Posts
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Harry, J. (2024, March 19). Embracing Imperfection: Challenging False Narratives of Perfectionism. UTSouthwestern Medical Center. Retrieved from https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/education/provost/faculty-affairs-career-development/faculty-wellness/archives/thrive/imperfection.html#:~:text=Breaking%20free%20from%20perfectionism%20is,to%20validate%20ourselves%20from%20within.
Johnson, K. M., Slavin, S. J., & Takahashi, T. A. (2023). Excellent vs Excessive: Helping Trainees Balance Performance and Perfectionism. Journal of Graduate Medical Education 15(4), 424-42715(4), 424-427
Stoeber, Joachim and Rennert, Dirk (2008) Perfectionism in school teachers: Relations with stress appraisal, coping styles,and burnout. Anxiety, Stress & Coping: An international journal, 21 (1). pp. 37-53. ISSN 1061-5806. https://kar.kent.ac.uk/4486/1/Stoeber_%26_Rennert_SchoolTeachers_2008.pdf
