Most of all of us know of James Cameron through the movies Titanic and Avatar. He has been nominated for six Academy Awards, has grossed 6 billion dollars worldwide through his movies, and until the last few years, held the top two positions for top grossing movies of all time. James Cameron knows his stuff.
I was recently watching an interview with Mr. Cameron, and he told a story of a time when he was called a perfectionist. I loved his response:
People call me a perfectionist, but I’m not. I’m a rightist. I do something until it’s right, and then I move on to the next thing.
Perfectionism is a flawed idea.
Creating something perfect is about executing to precise accuracy what is in your head. The problem is that you can execute to perfection but the end product still not be RIGHT.
I know people who pursue the perfect __________, but don’t realize that even if they ever achieve it, it will not likely be their best work. The pursuit of perfection will either leave you frustrated by being unachievable or frustrated because the end product, though perfect, is still not RIGHT.
At first, it is easy to push back on this. Intentionally choosing to pursue something other than perfection can feel like a pursuit of a lower standard.
However, the truth is that the highest standard pursued is one where the RIGHT outcome is achieved, not necessarily that “perfect” picture in your head. Choosing to pursue a RIGHT outcome is not about lowering a standard, but rising to the right standard.
Here are 3 ways you can ensure that you are pursuing the RIGHT outcome rather than the perfect one.
Do I embrace and build on mistakes, or do I seek to avoid mistakes?
When mistakes are avoided rather than embraced, opportunities for growth will be missed. One of the most critical steps in choosing right over perfect is being comfortable with mistakes. It starts with the choice to acknowledge that mistakes are unavoidable and that they are an incredible opportunity for growth towards what is RIGHT.
Am I open to other team members’ input, even when it is different from my current view?
This is the mark of a humble leader. When you are willing to take input 360 degrees in your organization, then you are on the path to pursuing what is RIGHT. This leader knows that the picture in his/her head may need adjustments and that those adjustments can come from anywhere.
Do I maintain healthy flexibility?
Flexibility is one of the great balancing acts. Too much flexibility and you will find yourself, your team, or your project unfocused. With too little flexibility, you will be more focused on pursuing the perfection in your head rather than creating margin for the changes that will lead to what is RIGHT.
James Cameron knew that to create great movies he would have to pursue a product that was focused on getting what was RIGHT. He would not need the perfect actors, scenes, and edits. He would need the RIGHT actors, RIGHT scenes, and RIGHT edits. Why? Because he knew what we all know deep down…
Pursing the RIGHT thing always trumps executing the perfect thing.
Question: What about you? Are you a PERFECTIONIST or a RIGHTIST?
