Why Leaders Spend 50% of Their Time on 10% of the Results

Perfectionists, can we talk about that last 10 percent?

In a recent episode of The Science Help Show, James Garrett shared his 90% method: intentionally doing something to 90 percent, then sending it. Not because you do not care, but because you are training your brain that “really good” is often more than enough.

I see a similar pattern when coaching leaders. Leaders spend as much time on the last 10% as they did getting from 0 to 90%. That last bit rarely changes the outcome, but it does increase stress, delay decisions, and slow teams down.

James talks about this as a kind of “behavioral variability training” - and, in my opinion, opportunity for Leadership growth:

• Do the work to 90 percent

• Slide and send

• Sit with the discomfort

• Notice that nothing terrible happens

Each rep builds self trust. You start to learn that confidence does not come from being flawless, it comes from keeping commitments, learning quickly, and moving things forward.

A coaching question for you:
Where could you intentionally stop at 90 percent to build the leadership muscle of letting go?

If perfectionism is costing you time, energy, or confidence, contact me. We can explore how coaching might help you practice your own 90 percent rule and still deliver at a high level.

#executivecoach #leadershipcoaching #perfectionist #jamesgarrett #brainbydesign