As Chasson argues, there’s a lot not to like about being perfect or regularly trying to be so. The perfectionist’s thinking is often highly inflexible and given to self-doubt about taking action. Perfectionists have a “contradictory relationship” with control, Chasson writes, demonstrating that this trait should not automatically be considered the asset it’s often perceived as. He’s especially persuasive on the fact that there can be a bright side to mistakes—they can enable one to view a situation differently, encourage teamwork and original thinking, empowering an organization to rebound with more efficient solutions. Chasson’s advice is persuasive: embrace principles and be flexible, honest, and gracefully imperfect.
Chasson earns points for tackling a serious, largely underreported condition in plain, direct language, at times with a biting wit and much practical, hard-won guidance and illuminating tools, including his own “Emphasis Framework” crafted for “understanding behavior in a context of effort-value pressures.” Chasson’s prose is as clear as his thinking and approaches are rigorous. His examination of the inner conflict that arises in the ongoing struggle over whether he should or should not fold the household towels employs a simple, everyday example to drive home key points of being true to one’s values vs. the overall good of an organization—in this case his marriage. Many readers will immediately turn to revelatory the chapter about dealing with a perfectionist boss.
Takeaway: Eye-opening guide to the problems of workplace perfectionism and how to face them.
Comparable Titles: Thomas Curran’s The Perfection Trap, Brené Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
