“Embrace” means accepting or supporting, and “imperfection” means being flawed or not perfect. There are two ways to look at “embracing imperfection.” One is to humbly accept our own and others’ flaws. The other is to think that since perfection is impossible, why bother trying?
I remember a project review meeting in which a colleague talked about embracing imperfection. While it sounds humble, often, it’s just an excuse for not trying harder. So, what is perfection? According to dictionary.com, it’s being free from all flaws or defects.
Looking back, I’ve always aimed for perfection in my studies, work, and relationships. I believe talent is just the starting point; hard work and constant improvement are what matter. For instance, if someone says a task will take two weeks, I’ll do it in one week and make sure it’s flawless. This drive helped me learn quickly and do my job better.
But there’s a downside. The pressure and stress from this perfectionism led to a health breakdown a few years ago. Since then, I’ve learned to balance like a pendulum: working 12-14 hours a day during the week and then taking a few days off to recover from mental fatigue.
This method has worked for me for several years. But now, as I move into mid to senior management, I see that my peers often view my work ethic as a threat to their complacency. Less than 10% of senior management are willing to shake things up and push the organization forward. Most just want to sound smart without taking real action. This is why founder-led companies like Apple, Amazon, and Google succeed—they’re willing to disrupt and innovate.
This situation creates a constant internal struggle for me—what’s the right thing to do versus what’s expected. Sometimes, it feels easier to tell me everyone has their own views and experiences, so we all see the journey differently.
Deep down, I hope to one day work in a place that recognizes and empowers its high-potential employees to explore new paths. Or I’ll start my own company to create products that people genuinely want. Until then, I’ll live with this internal conflict, keeping a smile on the outside.