From Perfectionism to Progress: Jeff Ikler’s Leadership Wake Up Call

Perfectionism often disguises itself as high standards, but it can quietly drain energy, damage relationships, and stall growth. In this episode of the Own Your Awkward podcast, Andy Vargo sits down with executive coach Jeff Ikler to explore how a single moment in front of Da Vinci’s The Last Supper helped Jeff release his lifelong grip on perfection and step into a lighter, more effective way of leading and living.

Jeff’s story is not about lowering expectations. It is about redefining success, embracing humanity, and discovering that progress often lives on the other side of “good enough.”

The Moment That Changed Everything

In 2019, Jeff visited Milan and stood in front of one of the most famous works of art in history, Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper. What struck him was not just the beauty of the painting, but the fact that only about a quarter of the original work remains.

Da Vinci’s experimental technique was unproven. The paint began deteriorating shortly after completion. By traditional standards, the work was a failure.

And yet, centuries later, it is still considered one of the most meaningful and influential pieces of art ever created.

That realization stopped Jeff in his tracks.

If one of the world’s greatest masterpieces could be imperfect and still revered, why was he holding himself and everyone around him to an impossible standard?

When Perfectionism Becomes a Leadership Problem

Jeff spent years in senior leadership roles in the educational publishing industry. He was highly competent, deeply committed, and relentlessly focused on getting the work right.

What he did not realize at the time was that his perfectionism was wearing people down.

Colleagues felt pressured. Conversations shut down. Creativity narrowed. Despite good intentions, his leadership style was not effective.

Eventually, his organization hired him a coach. At first, the message stung. But that coaching relationship became the catalyst for profound change.

Coaching Shifted the Focus from Work to People

One of Jeff’s biggest breakthroughs was recognizing that leadership is not about having the best answers. It is about creating the space for others to contribute theirs.

Coaching helped Jeff shift from directing and correcting to pausing and listening. Instead of asking, “How do we get this perfect?” he began asking, “What do you think?”

That simple question changed everything.

People felt respected. Ideas improved. Pressure lifted.

Jeff describes the transformation as feeling lighter, both professionally and personally.

Leaders Don’t Need All the Answers

One of the most powerful moments in the episode comes when Jeff challenges a common leadership myth, that respect comes from certainty.

In reality, people want to feel valued, not managed.

Jeff shares the example of the New Horizons mission to Pluto, where a leader paused a critical decision to gather input from the full team. That pause did not weaken authority. It strengthened trust.

Great leadership is not about being the smartest voice in the room. It is about being curious enough to listen.

The Power of “Good Enough”

For Jeff, embracing “good enough” was not about cutting corners. It was about releasing unrealistic expectations that created unnecessary stress.

Perfectionism kept him stuck in rumination. It delayed action. It strained relationships.

“Good enough” allowed movement.

It allowed learning.

It allowed progress.

Andy highlights something many listeners will recognize, perfectionism often stops people from starting at all. Waiting for perfect can mean waiting forever.

Understanding the Why Behind the Behavior

One of the most important insights Jeff shares is that perfectionism is often learned.

It is not a personality flaw. It is a pattern.

By understanding where his perfectionism came from, Jeff was able to stop judging himself and start changing the behavior. Awareness created choice.

That understanding also gave him compassion, for himself and for others navigating their own awkwardness.

Comparing to Learn, Not to Beat Yourself Up

Jeff also talks about comparison, especially in creative spaces like podcasting and leadership.

Instead of asking, “Why didn’t I do that?” he now asks, “What can I learn from this?”

That shift turns comparison into growth rather than self criticism.

We’re All Awkward Somewhere

At its core, this episode is a reminder that everyone carries awkwardness in some area of life.

Owning it does not make you weaker. It makes you human.

And when leaders model that humanity, teams feel safer, more engaged, and more willing to grow.

Final Thought

Letting go of perfection is not about doing less. It is about doing what matters, with intention, humility, and trust.

Sometimes the bravest move is choosing progress over perfect.