logo
episode-header-image
May 2022
42m 30s

Breaking Up with Perfectionism | WorkLif...

TED
About this episode
Perfectionism is on the rise–and not just in job interviews when people claim it’s their greatest weakness. But the desire to be flawless is not always productive—or healthy. As a recovering perfectionist, organizational psychologist Adam Grant dives into how he managed to abandon the quest for 10s while holding onto his drive for excellence. This is an episode of WorkLife with Adam Grant, another podcast in the TED Audio Collective. To hear more episodes, follow WorkLife wherever you're listening to this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Nov 2023
Together for 20 years — but living apart?
The binary category of single/married doesn't allow for much nuance. What if, say, you’re in a long term committed relationship like a marriage — but you live apart? In the last episode of this mini series, Saleem talks to a couple who’s been living apart together ("LAT") for yea ... Show More
22m 39s
Oct 2023
What it's like to find your birth parent
In Britain, one-fourth of people who were adopted make contact with their birth parents before they turn 18. In this episode, Saleem meets Amanda, a Dominican woman who was adopted by a white couple in Connecticut. Amanda always knew she was adopted and was curious about her birt ... Show More
20m 47s
Oct 2023
Lessons from the happiest place in the world
For multiple years in a row, Gallup has named Finland the happiest country in the world. But can you actually measure happiness — and what do the Finns know that the rest of the world doesn’t? Before you move to Finland, we talk to a Finnish “happyologist” about how she defines h ... Show More
22m 29s
Recommended Episodes
May 2022
Breaking up with perfectionism | WorkLife with Adam Grant
Perfectionism is on the rise -- and not just in job interviews when people claim it's their greatest weakness. But the desire to be flawless is not always productive or healthy. As a recovering perfectionist, organizational psychologist Adam Grant dives into how he managed to aba ... Show More
42m 26s
May 2022
WorkLife with Adam Grant: Breaking Up with Perfectionism
Perfectionism is on the rise–and not just in job interviews when people claim it’s their greatest weakness. But the desire to be flawless is not always productive—or healthy. As a recovering perfectionist, Adam dives into how he managed to abandon the quest for 10s while holding ... Show More
41m 50s
Dec 2022
Adam Grant on Perfectionism and Procrastination
<p><em>New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers.</em></p> <p>---</p> <p>According to guest Adam Grant, excellence does not require perfectionism, and rather than obsessing over the outcome of your work, ... Show More
1h 8m
Dec 2022
E164 - Adam Grant: Why you should stop trying to prove yourself and start trying to improve yourself
<p>Adam Grant is an organisational psychologist, author, professor and host of podcast ‘Work Life’. His work focuses on how people can find motivation and meaning, rethink assumptions and live more creative and generous lives.&nbsp;</p><br><p>In this episode they focus on the bes ... Show More
1h 5m
Sep 2025
Escaping Perfectionism
<p>Perfectionism is everyone’s favorite flaw. It’s easy to assume that our push to be perfect is what leads to academic, athletic, and professional success. But how do we distinguish between high standards and unrealistic expectations? This week, we bring you a favorite conversat ... Show More
1h 37m
Nov 2022
Digging Deeper on Perfectionism
Many high performers go through their working lives struggling with perfectionism and not even realizing it - or not understanding why they have such a need to achieve. In this episode, we continue the conversation around the roots of perfectionism, how to know if it is a problem ... Show More
54m 7s
May 2025
The Roots of Perfectionism and How We Can Change
Perfectionism can help us succeed, but it can also be a detriment to our mental health and our lives. Understanding it is the first step to better management. In this episode, psychologist Thomas Greenspon shares research about perfectionism, where it comes from, how it can impac ... Show More
29m 56s
Sep 2023
Ep.54 Perfectionism Is Holding You Back: How To Achieve AND Be Highly Productive [SOLO EP]
“You have this false perception that perfectionism is good for your work, but realistically it’s actually harming your work in the long term” 💅🏼 In this week's solo ep, we're talking all about perfectionism - in work, relationships and life in general, with the aim to reframe o ... Show More
22m 8s