What are the key motivations that lead to perfectionist behavior?
Anupreet says the motivation for perfectionist behavior is simply the passion that a person has for a particular task. Sarita adds that perfectionism is a personality trait that can’t be driven only by external factors. Perfectionists often seek perfection in each and everything they do. She describes their key motivations as seeking a high standard of performance, fear of failure, a competitive work environment, and, most importantly, personal satisfaction. Key motivations that Girish sees include a commitment to delivering exceptional quality, personal satisfaction from achieving high standards, the drive to stay ahead in a competitive industry, and the intrinsic motivation to solve complex problems effectively. Muhammad has a slightly longer list (i) High Standards and Expectations, (ii) External Expectations, (iii) Desire for Acceptance and Approval, (iv) Avoiding Criticism, (v) Control & Stability.
Anees describes perfectionism as a journey, not an end goal. It is about always striving to do things better and better till the ‘wow factor’ is achieved. Those who strive for perfection often seek validation from others or themselves.
Perfection can also be fuelled by the fear of failure or not meeting our own high standards and expectations, says Anees. Sometimes, people might not realize they’re chasing perfectionism because they’re so deeply passionate about what they’re doing.
Jayachandran says that the motivators for perfectionism are top-quality work, customer appreciation, and job satisfaction. When one does a fantastic job, not only does everyone notices, you also raise the standards. This pleases clients. Also, the company, seeing the energy and passion, trusts us to deliver new, bigger projects. Perfectionists are often recognized for their contributions, says Jayachandran.
While the pursuit of perfectionism among IT professionals stems from various motivations, including pursuing mastery, demonstrating expertise, fear of failure, pressure to meet high standards, and a desire for recognition, Binod says that the complex and rapidly evolving nature of technology amplifies these motivations.
Pressure from peers, leaders, or industry standards can further reinforce perfectionist tendencies, leading individuals to adopt rigorous standards and meticulous attention to detail. Additionally, the quest for recognition and validation can fuel perfectionism as individuals seek approval and affirmation from colleagues, superiors, or external stakeholders, avers Binod.
Nathan describes fear of failure as a factor that demotivate a perfectionist. An employee who fears being reprimanded by the boss for mistakes, may spend excessive time double-checking the work and over-analyzing every detail. This can result in missed deadlines and high stress levels. Second is high personal benchmarks.
Rohit turns to the tech angle. Digital ecosystems have evolved and standards have become ‘open’, while cloud and DevOps have blurred the lines between infrastructure and applications. Further, data is exploding and AI models have become cheaper to run due to reduced costs of silicon computing. All this drives the need for a responsible approach to software, says Rohit. Human choices about software development affect the way in which decisions are made and the manner in which they are integrated into organizational routines.
Yeshanew pushes further with a divine perspective. Matthew 5:48 in the Bible gives us a divine calling – to strive toward perfection, to become the best versions of ourselves. This calling is realized through our passion-driven efforts and is inherent in our very being. While our individual experiences shape how we define and pursue this goal, the essence remains constant: we are all in pursuit of a dream that utilizes the best of our capabilities.
Yeshanew explains that our understanding of this pursuit matures over time. Maturity provides us with a lens to perceive and define our goals, yet each of us is ultimately following the ideal version of ourselves – a ‘perfect shadow.’ It is essential that there be light to illuminate the path towards this ideal, ensuring that our journey is not only ethically sound but also enjoyable throughout our lives. May we always have this light, and may our chase be both ethical and fulfilling, he prays.
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