High Standards or Neurotic Perfectionism: How Can You Tell the Difference? - EP 129

40 Min Listen

Today, we’re diving into a topic that resonates with so many entrepreneurs: high standards versus perfectionism. These two mindsets may seem similar, but they produce vastly different results. High standards drive action, progress, and growth, while perfectionism often leads to overthinking and paralysis. In the medical field, for example, I’ve seen countless colleagues fall into the trap of perfectionism, trying to solve every problem before it even exists. That mindset doesn’t work in business or life. Mark Cuban’s quote, “Perfectionism is the enemy of profitability,” couldn’t be more accurate. Today, we’re breaking down the difference and sharing actionable strategies to embrace high standards without falling into the perfectionist trap.

When Brent and I were scaling Genesis, we had no time for perfectionism—we just implemented, adjusted, and kept moving forward. Sure, we made mistakes, but we learned from them and created better processes along the way. The key is urgency and execution. Too many people wait for the “perfect” moment or product, wasting time trying to predict every possible issue. The reality is, the challenges you anticipate often aren’t the ones that show up. Growth and innovation happen when you take action, embrace mistakes, and refine as you go. High standards allow for flexibility, mistakes, and progress, while perfectionism shuts down opportunities for growth by focusing on an unattainable ideal.

Finally, accountability plays a huge role in maintaining high standards. At Genesis, we’ve built a culture where mistakes are opportunities to learn and innovate, not reasons for retaliation. We encourage open communication, personal responsibility, and proactive problem-solving. High standards start with you—your willingness to improve yourself and take ownership of your actions. Perfectionism, on the other hand, shifts the focus to others, creating a toxic blame game. If you want to scale your business or grow as a leader, focus on holding yourself accountable and embracing the lessons that come with imperfection. Let’s explore how this mindset can transform not just your business, but your life.

Welcome to The Spinoso Podcast hosted by CEO, doctor, comic book geek, and car guy, Alex Spinoso. I help people and companies grow - especially in the medical business. While my experience and expertise is in scaling all types of medical businesses to 7, 8, 9-figures or more, I can be a mentor to anyone who wants to take ownership of their lives, become a better leader at home and at work, and overcome any obstacle that stands in their way.

(0:00) - Intro

(0:15) - High Standards vs. Perfectionism: Introduction and Context

(3:41) - High Standards Lead to Action, Perfectionism Stops Progress

(6:24) - Urgency and Execution in Business

(9:15) - Innovation and Growth Through Mistakes

(15:23) - Creating a Culture of Accountability

(18:38) - Focusing on Personal Accountability

(23:40) - Implementing Core Values and Flexibility

(34:31) - Curiosity and Continuous Improvement

(36:18) - Final Thoughts