What is the difference between perfection and progress? Perfection is led by pressure and fear, which can cause you to miss deadlines and prevent you from launching your ideas because you're worried about every minor detail. Progress is an iterative approach where you are constantly making improvements because you know it's never going to be perfect. The goal is to build something and learn from it.

When is perfection required? Perfection is necessary for things that are standardized and logical, like math problems or certain regulated industries. If something is in a new, uncharted territory, a progressive, good enough mindset is much more appropriate. Perfection becomes a reasonable standard when you have a checklist or a rubric to follow. For everything else, you must learn to have grace.

How do you handle a "my way or the highway" mentality? One way to handle this mentality is by using data to make your decisions. In our business, what always trumps everyone's opinion is the data. If the data says we need to go left, then we go left, regardless of who's who. If someone thinks they have a better way, let them present a data-backed case.

Why shouldn’t I leave one-star reviews when I have a bad customer experience? Instead of leaving a bad review, you should communicate directly with the business owner. A one-star review doesn't fix the problem; it just makes you sound like a complainer online. If you are a kind person and are upset, imagine how many other people have left without saying anything. By talking to the owner directly, you can provide constructive criticism that actually helps the business improve.

Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/EgdY6NqK1FE and read more in THE ASCENT | 009.