In this episode, we dive into perfectionism—how it impacts job seekers, employees, and leaders—and explore strategies to overcome its pitfalls without losing its advantages. Our guest is Dr. Gregory Chasson, a board-certified cognitive behavioral therapist, researcher, educator, and author of the new book, Flawed. Dr. Chasson breaks down why perfectionism can be both an asset and a hindrance, explaining how rigid thinking and excessive expectations can lead to anxiety, procrastination, and workplace friction.

He introduces the “Emphasis Framework” (A, B, and C), a practical tool for deciding how much energy to give each task, guided by your core values—rather than an all-or-nothing approach that can derail productivity. You’ll also learn how to be genuine about imperfections in a job interview, how to avoid paralysis by analysis, and why resilience and cognitive flexibility matter more than flawless performance.

Whether you’re searching for a job, leading a team, or simply aiming to strike a healthier balance between ambition and well-being, this conversation offers real-world insights you can apply today.

Key Takeaways

• The difference between aiming high and getting stuck in rigid perfectionism
• Why perfectionism often creates anxiety and stalls progress—especially in job hunting
• How to harness the strengths of perfectionistic traits (e. g., conscientiousness) while reducing the downsides
• Practical steps from Flawed to cultivate cognitive flexibility, better decision-making, and more balanced expectations

Resources & Links

• Get the book: Flawed by Dr. Gregory Chasson
• More about Dr. Chasson: gregchasson.com
• International OCD Foundation: IOCDF.org
• Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies: ABCT.org