PR Studies

Perfectionist or pragmatist?

One of our placement students was described by her supervisor as the 'consummate professional'. So I probed to learn her weaknesses. It appeared she can become frustrated with colleagues. There are signs to me in this instance of a perfectionist at work.

Here's the paradox. People are hired to jobs because they have strong skills and a burning desire to succeeed. But in my experience public relations practitioners tend to be pragmatists, not perfectionists.

When I think about the many talented people I've worked with in various PR roles, it was always the pragmatists who succeeded, and the perfectionists who burnt out.

I'd welcome any challenges to this generalisation, before I put off a generation of students who might otherwise become consummate professionals.

Comments

Perfectionist or pragmatist?

One of our placement students was described by her supervisor as the 'consummate professional'. So I probed to learn her weaknesses. It appeared she can become frustrated with colleagues. There are signs to me in this instance of a perfectionist at work.

Here's the paradox. People are hired to jobs because they have strong skills and a burning desire to succeeed. But in my experience public relations practitioners tend to be pragmatists, not perfectionists.

When I think about the many talented people I've worked with in various PR roles, it was always the pragmatists who succeeded, and the perfectionists who burnt out.

I'd welcome any challenges to this generalisation, before I put off a generation of students who might otherwise become consummate professionals.