Challenging perfectionist behaviour: tips for teachers and leaders

Do you feel the pressure to be perfect as a teacher or leader? What do you worry will happen if you’re not perfect? It’s an important thing to consider because the simple fact is: none of us are perfect. Here are some tips to help you challenge some of your perfectionist thinking and behaviour.

Articles / 3 mins read

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No lesson plan, pupil, school day, teacher or school leader can ever be perfect. So why do we strive for perfection?

It’s okay to have high standards in the workplace, as caring about your work can truly be an asset to your school. But better understanding of perfectionist behaviour and letting go of rigid, all-or-nothing thinking can help you preserve your energy, while still being there for your pupils and colleagues.

Why is perfectionism so common in teaching?

We know that teaching staff are under frequent amounts of pressure – observations, Ofsted, parents evening. The list goes on! But there are many reasons why striving for perfection might be so prevalent in education. For one thing, educators care deeply about their pupils and the purpose of their work.

This is one of the things that makes teaching such a rewarding career, but this same sense of purpose could make it tricky to accept human errors, and promote a culture of constantly striving - no matter the cost.

Black and white thinking in teaching and school leadership

As a perfectionist, black and white thinking can be a common occurrence as we strive to achieve the impossible state of perfect. A machine may be able to perform tasks without error, but as a human being you were never intended to be perfect!

It can be liberating to find life’s shades of grey and accept that things are often complicated. Letting go of rigid, all-or-nothing thinking is one strategy you can use to stop yourself trying to fit into unattainable categories.

So, let’s try challenging some of your own black and white thinking:

Practical ways teachers can overcome all-or-nothing thinking

Black and white

If my pupils don’t get perfect grades I have failed them as their teacher.
There is so much to do. I need to fit as much into my school day as possible. My colleagues are either good or bad.
If they say something wrong they are toxic.
If I don’t have perfect lesson plans I’ll let down my department.
My head of department is under a lot of pressure, I don’t want to say no to this project as I will add to their stress

Shades of grey

I have done the best I can for my pupils. My influence is only part of the story. Their achievements are not solely a reflection of me.
There is lots to do, but I also need to allow myself time for breaks and rest throughout the day. It will stop me burning out and I will be better at my job in the long run.
As human beings we are complex and sometimes we make mistakes.
My lesson plans are good enough and that will do for now.
I see that by head of department is stressed, but I still need to say no on this occasion in order to protect myself. It does not mean I am not hard-working or that I am slacking. I am a better colleague to her if I avoid saying yes and letting her down later.

For school leaders:

Black and white

As a school leader I am expected to deliver excellence in leadership and school management at all times.
There is so much to do. I need to fit as much into my school day as possible.
My colleagues are either good or bad. If they say something wrong they are toxic.
If I don’t handle everything perfectly and on time (HR procedures, appraisals, budgeting) I am a failure.
I am responsible for the happiness of my staff. If they are unhappy at work it is my fault.

Shades of grey

Shades of grey It is not realistic for any one person to deliver excellence at all times. I do not need to be super-human every day!
There is lots to do, but I also need to allow myself time for breaks and rest throughout the day. It will stop me burning out and I will be better at my job in the long run.
As human beings we are complex and sometimes we make mistakes.
I am not expected to know and do everything. I am part of a team and it is okay to ask for help.
I can promote a good work climate and good teamwork, but I am not solely responsible for my staff’s happiness.

Silencing your inner critic as a teacher or school leader

Another way to challenge perfectionist behaviour can be to work on silencing your inner critic. By ‘inner critic’ we mean the inner speech many of us experience as we go about our daily lives. Our inner critic is mostly developed during childhood and influenced by those around us. And while it’s normal to have some critical thoughts about ourselves, a highly critical inner voice can lead to low self-esteem and contribute to perfectionist behaviour that might impact our mental wellbeing.

Challenging your inner critic and trying to reframe what it says can help retrain your brain to be more positive and realistic in its outlook. For example, if your inner critic says ‘I didn’t let my students stay for extra study time after school. I have let them down.’ Ask yourself ‘Is that true?’ and reframe the thought: ‘I need time to recover after a full day’s work and it’s important for students learning that they revise away from the classroom environment’.

It can take time to adjust your inner critic, but with practice it can help you become more confident and less prone to burning yourself out by taking on too much on, or over doing it.

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About the author

Emily Kenneally is a UK-based communications specialist working across teacher mental health, social prescribing, and workplace wellbeing in education. She has over 10 years’ experience in the charity sector.

She is a trauma-informed mindfulness practitioner, trained in non-clinical Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) at NHS Sussex Mindfulness Centre, and holds a Master of Design from the University of Brighton.

Since 2019, she has delivered wellbeing workshops to 1,400 adults and children across education and healthcare, including at the University of Surrey and NHS Sussex.

She joined Education Support as Content and Media Manager in 2022, co-producing 100+ teacher wellbeing resources with educators and partners, including The Mental Health Foundation and NAHT, contributing to BBC News reporting of the Teacher Wellbeing Index.

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