Sometimes the simplest objects can hold the biggest lessons.
I often use a purple stone as a talking piece in my work. At first glance, it’s beautiful; the marbled pattern is intriguing, and its heart shape reminds us of the importance of caring for others. When I rub the stone, it feels cool and smooth in my hand.
But if you turn it just a bit, you notice an imperfection: a jagged rut in its surface. That small flaw makes me pause, as it reminds me of something all humans share:
No matter what we show to colleagues, to friends, or to the world, and no matter how strong, fascinating, and talented we are, we are naturally imperfect. That’s the nature of being human.
In my work with clients, I often see leaders and team members striving for perfection. They hold themselves to impossible standards, pouring energy into making things “just right” while overlooking what’s going well, how much they’ve grown, and the many accomplishments they’ve already achieved. The cost is tremendous: exhaustion, longer hours, continued self-doubt, and less capacity to bring their best selves to their work and their daily interactions.
Here’s the truth: perfection isn’t possible, and pretending that it is comes at too high a price.
Instead, let’s choose to acknowledge our humanness, accept imperfection as a natural part of growth, and commit to learning and improving while embracing who we are today.
Like the stone, we are both smooth and jagged, strong and imperfect. Let’s stop chasing perfection and instead choose authenticity, courage, and growth. When we genuinely embrace our humanity, we create the kind of trust and connection that makes people, teams, and organizations thrive.