The perfectionism paradox arises because the pursuit of perfection often undermines the very goals it seeks to achieve, particularly in communication and influence.
- Delays and Missed Opportunities: Perfectionists tend to overthink and revise their ideas endlessly, delaying action. In communication, this can mean ideas are shared too late or lose relevance by the time they are presented. The people you’re trying to influence may move on or lose interest before you ever communicate.
- Overcomplicating Messages: In striving for perfection, a communicator might overload their audience with unnecessary details, complexity, or jargon. This can confuse the message, making it harder for people to grasp key points. Instead of being impressed by the thoroughness, listeners may feel overwhelmed or disengaged.
- Stifling Creativity and Authenticity: Trying to craft the “perfect” message can make it feel robotic or impersonal. When a communicator is too focused on getting everything right, they may lose the authentic human connection that is often more persuasive than polished delivery. Audiences typically respond better to authenticity, even if it includes some imperfections.
- Fear of Criticism or Vulnerability: Perfectionists often avoid sharing their ideas until they feel it’s flawless, due to fear of criticism. Ironically, this withholding of ideas can lead to missed feedback, collaboration, or iteration, which could have made the message or product even better. It also prevents others from feeling included in the process.
- Alienating the Audience: People often resonate more with “imperfect” ideas or presentations because they feel human and relatable. A message that seems too perfect may come across as unattainable or insincere, alienating the audience. Additionally, the constant tweaking of a message to achieve perfection can signal indecisiveness or insecurity, which may reduce the communicator’s perceived credibility.