From Perfectionism to Progress: Cultivating a Growth Mindset in Laboratory Medicine

Perfectionism—it’s a concept we toss around casually, but it carries more weight than we often realize. At its core, perfectionism is the pursuit of flawlessness, often defined as a need to achieve impeccable standards. Back in the 1980s, psychologists described it as the “tendency to have high standards and goals for oneself.”¹

Fast forward to today, and perfectionism has taken on a darker edge in both academic literature and popular culture. It’s no longer just about ambition—it’s about self-criticism, shame, and the relentless quest to avoid failure. Dr. Brené Brown, a renowned researcher on shame, defines perfectionism as “a self-destructive and addictive belief system” rooted in the idea that if you appear perfect, you can sidestep blame, judgment, and humiliation.²

Perfectionism in the laboratory

What does this have to do with laboratory medicine? Everything. While perfectionism is often studied in academic settings, it is just as prevalent—if not more so—in the medical laboratory, where precision, accuracy, and high performance are not just valued but expected. Laboratory professionals, from medical laboratory scientists to pathologists, work in an environment where every test result and diagnostic interpretation has direct implications for patient care. Even minor errors can lead to misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, or adverse outcomes, creating immense pressure to maintain flawless performance. This high-stakes atmosphere fosters a culture of relentless self-evaluation, where professionals scrutinize their own work and that of their colleagues, often holding themselves to impossible standards.

While striving for excellence is necessary in patient care, perfectionism can take a toll. The constant pursuit of error-free work can lead to excessive stress, imposter syndrome, and decision fatigue, ultimately diminishing efficiency and confidence. Fear of making mistakes can make laboratorians hesitant to seek feedback or collaborate, stifling innovation and professional growth. Furthermore, as laboratory medicine continues to evolve with emerging technologies, molecular diagnostics, and artificial intelligence, rigid perfectionism can make it harder for professionals to adapt to new methods and workflows. Understanding the nature of perfectionism—and how it manifests in laboratory settings—is crucial to finding a balance between maintaining high standards and fostering a healthy, sustainable approach to professional growth. To do that, we must first explore the theory of perfectionism and its different dimensions.

The theory of perfectionism

Psychologists recognize three distinct facets of perfectionism:³

• Self-Oriented: Expecting perfection from yourself. 

• Socially Prescribed: Believing others expect you to be perfect. 

• Other-Oriented: Demanding perfection from those around you. 

Among these, socially prescribed perfectionism is particularly toxic, with studies linking it to lower academic achievement.⁴ In contrast, self-oriented perfectionism—when tempered correctly—can drive success.⁴

But even self-oriented perfectionism isn’t all good. It splits into two subtypes:⁵

• Perfectionistic Striving (Good Perfectionism): High personal standards and the motivation to meet them.

• Perfectionistic Concerns (Bad Perfectionism): Anxiety over falling short, fear of failure, and feelings of worthlessness.

When the “good” side dominates, perfectionism can propel individuals to success. When the “bad” side takes over, it’s a recipe for stress and poor performance.⁵

Mindset matters 

Enter mindset, a concept pioneered by Dr. Carol Dweck in the 1980s. Mindset is all about how we think about learning and growth. A growth mindset embraces mistakes, values effort over output, and views challenges as opportunities. Its counterpart, a fixed mindset, avoids risks, prioritizes flawless outcomes, and shies away from effort.⁶

Here’s the link: growth mindset pairs with “good” perfectionism, while fixed mindset amplifies “bad” perfectionism.^7,8

The good news? While transforming perfectionism isn’t easy, shifting from a fixed to a growth mindset is well within reach—and it can help counter the negative aspects of perfectionism. 

The power of growth mindset

A growth mindset is more than a buzzword; it’s a powerful tool for reshaping how we approach challenges. At its heart, it encourages individuals to see learning as a process and failure as a natural part of growth. This mindset shifts focus from unattainable perfection to tangible improvement and resilience.

Research shows that introducing the concept of growth mindset, alongside the science of neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to adapt and change), can spark a transformative shift in thinking. For students and faculty alike, simply understanding that abilities are not fixed but can be developed through effort creates a foundation for healthier and more productive behaviors.⁹

Mentorship plays a crucial role in fostering growth mindset. Mentors who openly share their own struggles and failures help normalize the idea that mistakes are a natural and necessary part of learning. Feedback mechanisms also need to adapt, focusing less on the end product and more on the effort and strategies employed. For example, instead of saying, “This result is incorrect,” feedback could emphasize, “This approach was a good start—let’s build on it by exploring alternative methods.”¹⁰

Institutional support is essential as well. Faculty training programs can embed growth mindset principles into teaching strategies, ensuring educators model and encourage this approach. Classroom environments can incorporate structured discussions about failure and resilience, helping students view challenges as opportunities to develop skills rather than as barriers to success.⁹

Finally, the use of reminders and reinforcements throughout the curriculum can further strengthen the shift. Whether through posters celebrating effort, assignments designed to reward experimentation, or sessions on the science of learning, small but consistent changes can create a culture of growth that benefits everyone.⁹

Growth mindset in laboratory medicine

Growth mindset is particularly relevant to laboratory medicine and pathology, where the sheer breadth of knowledge required is staggering. From understanding the intricacies of pathophysiology to mastering the art of pattern recognition in diagnostic work, laboratory professionals must constantly absorb new information. The field demands a mindset that embraces learning, as no one enters the profession knowing everything they need to succeed.

Unlike some disciplines where knowledge remains relatively static, laboratory medicine is in a state of continuous evolution. Advances in molecular diagnostics, artificial intelligence, automation, and precision medicine mean that professionals must stay informed and adaptable. A growth mindset fosters the ability to keep up with these changes—not by assuming expertise is innate, but by recognizing that expertise is built through continuous learning.

Moreover, laboratory professionals must frequently navigate diagnostic uncertainty. Medicine is not always black and white, and cases don’t always fit textbook descriptions. Those with a fixed mindset may struggle with ambiguity, fearing mistakes or hesitating to consult colleagues when faced with uncertainty. In contrast, those with a growth mindset see these challenges as opportunities to deepen their understanding and refine their diagnostic acumen.

While pathologists and laboratory professionals strive to provide exceptional diagnostics for patients, errors can happen—whether in test interpretation, procedural execution, or decision-making. A culture that encourages reflection and learning from mistakes, rather than one that punishes errors harshly, leads to better patient outcomes. Implementing growth mindset principles in quality improvement initiatives can enhance patient safety by encouraging open discussion of errors and strategies for preventing them in the future.

Training programs that emphasize growth mindset can also help combat imposter syndrome among trainees and early-career professionals. The transition from training to independent practice is daunting, and new laboratorians and pathologists often feel overwhelmed by the responsibility of making critical clinical decisions. By reinforcing the idea that expertise is developed over time, and that mistakes are steppingstones rather than failures, institutions can help new professionals build confidence and competence.

Beyond individual benefits, a growth mindset fosters collaboration. Laboratory medicine is a team effort, requiring pathologists, medical laboratory scientists, bioinformaticians, and clinicians to work together seamlessly. When team members embrace a growth mindset, they are more likely to seek input, share knowledge, and view interdisciplinary challenges as learning opportunities rather than threats to their competence.

Final thoughts

Perfectionism is a double-edged sword. At its best, it drives success; at its worst, it cripples. But there’s hope: by fostering a growth mindset, educators and institutions can help laboratory workers harness the positive aspects of perfectionism while mitigating its harms.

In laboratory medicine, where the learning never stops and the stakes are high, a growth mindset is essential for keeping up with advancements, refining diagnostic skills, and fostering resilience. By embracing lifelong learning and recognizing that expertise is a journey, not a fixed destination, we can cultivate a field that thrives on progress rather than perfection.

Laboratory medicine has long been a breeding ground for perfectionism. Isn’t it time we made it a place for growth instead?

References

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2. Brown, B. (2022). The gifts of imperfection: Let go of who you think you're supposed to be and embrace who you are. Simon and Schuster.
3. Jiang, Y., & Konorova, E. (2023). Distinct roles of self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism in Chinese adolescent students' achievement goals, classroom affect, and academic achievement. Learning and Individual Differences, 106, 102341.
4. Verner-Filion, J., & Gaudreau, P. (2010). From perfectionism to academic adjustment: The mediating role of achievement goals. Personality and Individual Differences, 49(3), 181-186.
5. Madigan, D. J. (2019). A meta-analysis of perfectionism and academic achievement. Educational Psychology Review, 31, 967-989.
6. Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random house.
7. Mofield, E. L., & Parker Peters, M. (2018). Mindset misconception? Comparing mindsets, perfectionism, and attitudes of achievement in gifted, advanced, and typical students. Gifted Child Quarterly, 62(4), 327-349.
8. Mofield, E., & Parker Peters, M. (2019). Understanding underachievement: Mindset, perfectionism, and achievement attitudes among gifted students. Journal for the Education of the Gifted, 42(2), 107-134.
9. Klein, J., Delany, C., Fischer, M. D., Smallwood, D., & Trumble, S. (2017). A growth mindset approach to preparing trainees for medical error. BMJ Quality & Safety, 26(9), 771-774.
10. Forsythe, A., & Johnson, S. (2017). Thanks, but no-thanks for the feedback. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 42(6), 850-859.