Psychologist David Burns has studied perfectionists. Gymnasts who qualify for the Olympics have fewer perfectionist tendencies than those who fail to qualify. For some people, high standards trigger procrastination. Fear of not performing well enough may lead to putting off work or leaving it half-finished. If the job is not completed, it is beyond criticism, perfectionists may believe.
Perfectionism can inhibit creativity and spontaneity, which are especially important in mentoring.
After all, creativity requires a sense of play, the freedom to explore options, and the right to fail. If excellence is a constant standard, then freedom to play and to fail may disappear. The drive for perfection is impossible to satisfy. One therapist asked a perfectionist to imagine herself achieving her goal. Aiming for perfection is walking toward a mirage.