When I recently came across this quote by Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, “Done is better than perfect,” it stopped me in my tracks. I think it’s one of the most succinct messages many of us in management and leadership positions need to hear. Too often, I catch myself spending too much of my time revising an article, blog, book manuscript, or speech to ensure it’s “just right.” I’ve also allowed my team to develop the habit of reworking material to get it “just right,” for a client – when the client would have been thrilled with the first or second iteration.
My colleague and fellow leadership speaker, trainer, and writer, Merge Gupta-Sunderji, CSP wrote an insightful blog along these lines: Is Persistence and Tenacity Always a Good thing? Her beautifully written analogy makes us sit back and ask ourselves, “Am I doing all of this work just because I can or am I doing this work to deliver what my client truly wants?”
More often than not, I find…done is better than perfect.
Copyright MMXIV – Liz Weber, CMC, CSP – Weber Business Services, LLC – www.WBSLLC.com +1.717.597.8890
Liz supports clients with strategic and succession planning, as well as leadership training and executive coaching. Learn more about Liz on LinkedIn!
