How to Stop Perfectionism at Work: On-time and High-Quality

This post is based on a short episode from our weekly YouTube advice series, Go Ask Jenn — watch the full video here.

Below is a written transcript edited into a concise blog post for easier reading and reference.

 

When Is “Good Enough” Good Enough? Balancing Quality and Timely Delivery

Today’s question is all about creating balance.

Jenn asked: “I have a team member who is a real challenge for me. They are smart, motivated, and have a great attitude. However, they also overcomplicate everything and are consistently late with their deliverables! Any tips?”

Thank you for sharing, dear leader. Rest assured that you — and your talented team member — are not alone.

At first blush, it sounds like your team member may be struggling with perfectionism. Here are two practical ways to help them prioritize quality while delivering on time.

 

1) Define “good” — and make on-time part of that definition

Be specific when you assign work and explain why the deadline matters. For example:

• “I am looking for an initial outline that clarifies the who, what, where, when, and why. And I need it within two weeks so that I have time to refine and present to the Executive team.”

That phrasing makes clear that delivering on time is a critical aspect of overall quality. Use phrases like “good enough,” “first pass,” or “the 70% version” when appropriate — these cues help alleviate perfectionistic tendencies and signal that iteration is expected.

 

2) Build in frequent, short check-ins

Proactively schedule brief progress reviews to catch scope creep early and reduce anxiety about final delivery. For example:

• “Let’s schedule a 15-minute check-in for next week. We’ll review your rough first draft and clarify any questions or scoping issues that have emerged.”

Start with that approach and iterate based on what you learn.

 

So that’s my take – What do you think? What advice would you give someone facing a similar problem? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s learn together.

Do you have a sticky workplace situation causing you grief? Send it my way and we’ll get it sorted.

Happy improving! -Jenn