Perfectionism is often associated with the relentless pursuit of unattainable standards, leading to stress and burnout among employees. On the other hand, striving for excellence, which involves setting high yet achievable goals, can bring about positive outcomes for both individuals and organizations. A recent study by Mohr & Dietz (2025) delves into the daily implications of perfectionism versus excellence.
THE STUDY
In a comprehensive online daily diary survey, 127 participants were enlisted to monitor their levels of fatigue, perfectionism, and excellence midway through the day. Additionally, they provided insights into their effort, performance, and fatigue by day’s end. The findings indicate that individuals who prioritize excellence in the morning exhibit heightened and sustained effort in the afternoon, resulting in improved performance later in the day without the accompanying fatigue often linked to perfectionism.
APPLICATIONS IN THE WORKPLACE
Perfectionism can have detrimental effects on employees’ mental and physical well-being, as well as organizational health. To counteract perfectionism and foster a culture of excellence, organizations should consider the following strategies:
- Assist employees in establishing challenging yet realistic objectives. Collaborate with them to identify their boundaries and encourage growth-oriented thinking.
- Avoid endorsing or mandating perfectionism within the workplace. Create an environment where employees feel empowered to make mistakes and learn from challenging situations.
Mohr, M., and Dietz, C. (2025). It has to be perfect? Differentiating the unique daily relationships of perfectionism and excellence with employee effort, performance, and fatigue. Journal for industrial and organizational psychology, 98c70034.
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