Background
Insight Investment partnered with MindForward Alliance to help their graduates navigate the common challenge of unhealthy perfectionism. The objectives were to:
- Increase understanding of unhealthy perfectionism: Helping graduates to recognise this common workplace mental wellbeing challenge is and develop strategies to manage it
- Encourage open conversations about mental health: Breaking the stigma around mental health through the sharing of personal experiences
- Signpost to support: Reminding employees about where to find mental wellbeing resources within the company
The challenge
When an individual takes an unhealthy perfectionist (sometimes described as toxic perfectionist) approach to work it can lead to the setting of unrealistic goals, procrastinating due to fear of failure, and/or interpreting constructive feedback as intense criticism. It can negatively impact confidence, performance and overall wellbeing. For professionals in their early careers, the pressure to prove themselves and the unfamiliarity of the work environment can make them particularly vulnerable to this mindset
Insight Investment recognised this as a potential, hidden challenge for their graduates and proactively addressed it by working with MindForward Alliance to deliver a tailored learning session
A bespoke learning experience
MindForward Alliance worked with Insight Investment’s talent team to design and deliver a two-hour hybrid learning session for graduates based in London and in New York. There were two parts:
- Panel Discussion: The event began with a panel featuring a senior and a more junior team member from Insight Investment, chaired by a MindForward Alliance expert. The panellists shared their personal stories of unhealthy perfectionism, speaking honestly about their own experiences of fear of failure, imposter syndrome and the pressure to “never make a mistake”. They revealed personal strategies that they use to manage this and how they reframe their approach to work so it is healthier
- Interactive Learning Session: Following the panel, MindForward Alliance workplace mental health experts led an interactive workshop for the graduates
The session was focused on:
- Defining the difference between an unhealthy and a healthy approach to perfectionism
- Exploring the impact of unhealthy perfectionism on mental wellbeing, work performance and career progression
- Providing practical strategies to shift to a more balanced, growth-focused mindset
Graduates were encouraged to reflect on and discuss their own work habits and consider ways to manage any unhealthy perfectionist tendencies in a healthier way
Among graduates who completed the feedback survey, the event received an average rating of 9/10. Additionally, 100% of respondents reported that the training:
- Improved their understanding of how unhealthy perfectionism can impact wellbeing
- Helped them feel more comfortable discussing wellbeing with colleagues
- Increased their knowledge of where to find support and resources
- Improved their knowledge about how to look after their own mental wellbeing
Madeline Sutton, Talent and Organisation Development Associate, Insight Investment said:
“This is the second year that we have partnered with MindForward Alliance to deliver an unhealthy perfectionism learning session for our graduates. Afterwards, many of the attendees told me that they found it valuable, and many shared that they recognise their own perfectionist tendencies and felt reassured that they’re not alone. It was also a great way to remind graduates of all the wellbeing support available at Insight.”
If you would like MindForward Alliance to run a similar event for your organisation, do contact us. We have lots of experience in supporting businesses to design events and webinars which increase awareness and engagement mental health and wellbeing in your workplace.