Flawed: Why Perfectionism is a Challenge for Management
About this ebook
You may think perfectionism drives excellence—but what if it’s actually holding your team back?
In Flawed: Why Perfectionism is a Challenge for Management, psychologist and leadership expert Dr. Gregory Chasson reveals the hidden ways perfectionist thinking damages team performance, drains morale, and creates toxic workplace dynamics.
This practical guide is essential for leaders, managers, HR professionals, and executive coaches who want to:
- Identify the five key ways perfectionism disrupts team performance
- Understand how perfectionist managers unintentionally sabotage creativity and trust
- Replace “flawless” expectations with high standards that support innovation and well-being
- Apply science-backed strategies to build more cohesive, productive teams
Grounded in decades of research and clinical insight, Chasson’s approach combines psychological science with real-world business application. You’ll learn how to spot perfectionistic behavior early—and what to do when it shows up in yourself or your leadership team.
Whether you’re a recovering perfectionist or managing one, this book delivers:
- Clear frameworks and language to talk about perfectionism in the workplace
- Actionable tools to shift from fear-based leadership to growth-oriented culture
- A refreshing perspective on how “flawed” thinking can actually build stronger organizations
Dr. Chasson is Associate Professor and Director of Behavioral Interventions at the University of Chicago’s OCD & Related Disorders Clinic. His expertise gives this book the depth of academic credibility with the clarity of a management manual.
Stop letting perfectionism masquerade as excellence.
Flawed will help you discover how to lead with courage, clarity, and a healthier path to success.
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About the author
Gregory S. Chasson, PhD, ABPP, is an esteemed psychologist, board-certified cognitive-behavioral therapist, researcher, educator, and international invited speaker helping organizations, communities, and individuals address mental health challenges, such as perfectionism, using practical and feasible strategies. He sees the inner workings of perfectionism and its pitfalls, as well as how best to dismantle it with tips and insights grounded in science and honed through real world practice.
He is the award-winning author of Flawed: Why Perfectionism is a Challenge for Management.
He has served on the Board of Directors for a variety of professional non-profit organizations (e.g., Maryland Psychological Association) and owned and operated two mental health practices, giving him an intimate familiarity with how organizations and teams function.
Dr. Chasson is an Associate Professor at the University of Chicago in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, where he’s also the Director of Behavioral Interventions of the Obsessive-Compulsive & Related Disorders Clinic. He specializes in the nature and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related conditions (including perfectionism), high-functioning autism spectrum conditions, and anxiety disorders. He has provided cognitive-behavioral therapy for clinically severe perfectionism for nearly 20 years.
As an active scholar, Dr. Chasson has authored or co-authored more than 70 scientific publications and one academic book (Hoarding Disorder: Advances in Psychotherapy –Evidence-Based Practice). He serves as the Editor of the scientific journal, the Behavior Therapist.
