313: Rethinking Perfectionism at Work

Is perfectionism really holding you back, or could it be your secret superpower?In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien challenges the common belief that perfectionism is always a bad thing. Reflecting on her personal experiences as a "recovering perfectionist," she explores how a desire for perfection can actually add value, both professionally and personally when applied intentionally and in the right context. Drawing on examples from book editing, public speaking, and day-to-day tasks, she encourages you to rethink how and when to strive for perfection, and when “good enough” truly is enough.In This Episode, You’ll Discover:The importance of defining what “done,” “good,” “good enough,” and “excellent” look like for each task.How to set clear expectations for yourself and others, and avoid wasted time and unnecessary tweaking.How to embrace feedback and acknowledge what you did well, rather than focusing solely on mistakes.The cost of always saying “yes”: from overloaded teams to resentful employees.Leveraging perfectionism strategically as a superpower, and deploying it where it makes the greatest positive difference.Related Topics Covered:Book Publishing, Expectations, Positive Feedback Connect with Aoife O’Brien | Host of Happier at Work®:Website LinkedIn YouTube Related Episodes You’ll Love:Episode 189: Overcoming Perfectionism and Prioritising Well-Being with Jordana ConfinoAbout Happier at Work®Happier at Work® is the podcast for business leaders who want to create meaningful, human-centric workplaces. Hosted by Aoife O’Brien, the show explores leadership, career clarity, imposter syndrome, workplace culture, and employee engagement — helping you and your team thrive.If you enjoy podcasts like WorkLife with Adam Grant, The Happiness Lab, or Squiggly Careers, you’ll love Happier at Work®.Editing by Amanda Fitzgerald.Website: https://happieratwork.ie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappierAtWorkHQ Mentioned in this episode:Thriving Talent book - out nowBook