Working for a Perfectionist

Early in my career I worked with Dr. Meany-Mean. He was a brilliant, exceptional surgeon who's talent, skill, and relentless dedication to his profession improved the quality of care for thousands of patients. The perfectionist tendencies that made him an inspiring and groundbreaking physician also made him one of the most infuriating and demanding physicians I ever worked with. For every patient who sang his praises, there was a nurse, a support staff member, and an administrative professional left screaming or crying in his wake.

For the first few months that I worked with Dr. Meany-Mean I spent many late evenings at work alone in my office, in tears, trying to complete projects that would please the unappeasable monster. One night, desperate for moral support, I called my mother, a successful career woman. I wanted to whine and complain about His Picky Royal Highness. My mother, who had also worked with Dr. Meany-Mean, could relate to my tears, having experienced it herself. I expected mom to commiserate with me. Instead, she told me that I needed an attitude adjustment because Dr. Meany-Mean was right and I was wrong. I didn't expect this from my own mother, but, as usual, mom was right as she shared her insight with me. Here are three important lessons I learned about working for a perfectionist.

#1 We are all perfectionists.
Each one of us has something we are passionate about, and we throw ourselves into it 100%. It may be cake decorating, quilting, writing, cleaning, building, dressing, performing, dancing, cooking, golfing, parenting, learning, climbing, running, organizing; any activity that we love. Our personal need to perfect our skill or ability in that one area of interest is where our perfectionist tendencies lie. Sometimes, it shows up in the workplace and sometimes it doesn't. It's important to remember, though, that we all are perfectionists at one time or another. If we have given up on feeling passionate about any activity, and abandoned our quest to master a skill, we become uninspired and de-motivated, and we risk entering into a boring life of mediocrity.

#2 There is nothing bad about being a perfectionist.
When we work with them, we tend to label perfectionists in a negative light, but the truth is that striving for perfection and having exceedingly high expectations is the very formula that improves products, services, processes, systems, technology, and even surgical procedures. There's a need for the pursuit of excellence and high standards in the workplace; it pushes companies forward into uncharted territory and keeps them from stagnating into apathetic, mediocre institutions that eventually fail. The pursuit of excellence turns an OK product or service into the next revolutionary product or service. Embrace your perfectionist boss as someone who wants the absolute best for the office, the team, or the organization.

#3 Working for a perfectionist is a blessing, not a curse.
If you can embrace your boss's perfectionist behavior as self-development motivation you can enjoy incredible skill and career growth. Every time you're asked to do something you've never done before you are given an opportunity to learn and master new skills. If the task is challenging, don't hang your head in the agony of defeat. Instead, raise your hand and ask your boss for the specific tools and resources you'll need to get the job done. Request the specific training you will need to master the skill or complete the project. Remember, when embraced, a tough boss can turn an average employee into an exceptional, talented and highly-skilled employee. Everything I learned, and every new skill I acquired, while I was working for Dr. Meany-Mean followed me for the rest of my career. I'm a better person today because of Dr. Meany-Mean. I learned new skills, and I learned to embrace a tough boss. I have deep respect and admiration for Dr. Meany-Mean today.

Gina Covell Maddox has been motivating, inspiring, and teaching administrative professionals for two decades. Currently, she teaches an administrative professionals certificate program for the United States Navy and a leadership certificate program for the VA Hospital system. She coaches individuals and teams, and presents keynotes and training programs across the U.S, Canada and the Caribbean on career, communication, and leadership skills. She is the author of The Working Woman's Rant & Rave Guidebook: Audacious Advice for Handling Everyday Workplace Challenges That Make You Want to Scream. Visit her website at www.ginamaddox.com where you'll find a link to join The Working Woman's Rant & Rave Group on Facebook.