Perfect is the Enemy of Good

by Jim Elliott, President James G. Elliott Co., Inc.

October 20, 2021

For centuries, leaders have known that perfect is the enemy of good.  When conditions are changing rapidly, too much time spent planning is counterproductive. 

General George S. Patton said, “A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.”  His bias toward action based on a good plan, not a perfect plan, achieved spectacular results.

Today, we find ourselves coping with changes that can upend our businesses in just one or two quarters.  The perfectionist, trying to get every little detail of the plan just right, often will be faced with new conditions that may render the plan useless before any good can come of it.  The leader who begins to act before the paint is dry has a much better chance of success than one who waits until every last detail is in place. 

In the 37 years since I founded my company, we have seen some incredible events, including technological revolution, economic recession, war, political upheaval and now, pandemic.  The whole media industry has changed, almost beyond belief.  We survived and even prospered because we acted quickly to implement good plans, understanding that we might have to change course rapidly.