--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Perfection is our enemy... not because we…" description: "\"Perfection is our enemy... not because we don't want perfect candidates, but because perfect candidates don't exist.\" — Michael Capuano" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d58/michael-capuano-5988_candidates_perfection-is-our-enemy-not-because-we-d_243438.jpg" --- # Perfection is our enemy... not because we don't want… ![“Perfection is our enemy... not because we don't want perfect candidates, but because perfect candidates don't exist.” quote by Michael Capuano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d58/michael-capuano-5988_candidates_perfection-is-our-enemy-not-because-we-d_243438.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d58/michael-capuano-5988_candidates_perfection-is-our-enemy-not-because-we-d_243438.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d58/michael-capuano-5988_candidates_perfection-is-our-enemy-not-because-we-d_243438.jpg) > “Perfection is our enemy... not because we don't want perfect candidates, but because perfect candidates don't exist.” [Michael Capuano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-capuano/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The pursuit of perfection can hinder progress because truly flawless candidates are unattainable. **In simple terms:** Perfection blocks progress. Key Takeaway Accept imperfection and focus on improvement. Themes perfection expectations progress Mood reflective pragmatic Type advice motivational When to use this quote - hiring - team building - product development Key Concepts talent acquisition realistic standards Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance high standards with realistic expectations? - What criteria truly matter in selection? A Different Perspective Perfect candidates are a myth, leading to endless searching. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Perfection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfection/) ## Related quotes > [“If you are looking for a perfect candidate, then you might be disappointed. 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Good enough is really effin’ good.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/quick-and-dirty-wins-the-race-perfection-is-the-enemy-of-done-good/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“My whole life has been a battle lost on the map. Cowardice didn't even make it to the battlefield, where perhaps it would have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-pessoa/my-whole-life-has-been-a-battle-lost-on-the-map-cowardice-didn-t-even/) [Fernando Pessoa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-pessoa/) > [Perfection is the often the enemy of greatness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/perfection-is-the-often-the-enemy-of-greatness/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [“A need for precision and perfection has always been an enemy of art, which is about coloring outside the lines. It is also an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-stockman/a-need-for-precision-and-perfection-has-always-been-an-enemy-of-art/) [Steve Stockman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-stockman/) > [“Perfection is the enemy of authenticity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-braithwaite/perfection-is-the-enemy-of-authenticity/) Lisa Braithwaite > [Perfection is the enemy of greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/perfection-is-the-enemy-of-greatness/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [Perfection is often the enemy of greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/perfection-is-often-the-enemy-of-greatness/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [“Trying to do it all and expecting that it all can be done exactly right is a recipe for disappointment. Perfection is the enemy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-sandberg/trying-to-do-it-all-and-expecting-that-it-all-can-be-done-exactly/) [Sheryl Sandberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-sandberg/) > [“Trying to do it all and expecting it all can be done exactly right is a recipe for disappointment. Perfection is the enemy. Gloria…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-sandberg/trying-to-do-it-all-and-expecting-it-all-can-be-done-exactly-right-is/) [Sheryl Sandberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-sandberg/) > [Embrace what makes you unique, even if it makes others uncomfortable. i didn't have to become perfect because I've learned throughout my journey that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/embrace-what-makes-you-unique-even-if-it-makes-others-uncomfortable-i/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [You can't exactly bake a man to your specifications. Most of all, one shouldn't alienate a candidate. A hybrid of Einstein, Tarzan and Inge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peer-steinbruck/you-can-t-exactly-bake-a-man-to-your-specifications-most-of-all-one/) [Peer Steinbruck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peer-steinbruck/) > [Mistakes I've made in the past make me afraid to try new things in the future. I want to be perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-altucher/mistakes-i-ve-made-in-the-past-make-me-afraid-to-try-new-things-in/) [James Altucher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-altucher/) ## More by Michael Capuano > [I don't try to be something I'm not, I don't try to pretend that I'm something I'm not, I don't try to present myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-capuano/i-don-t-try-to-be-something-i-m-not-i-don-t-try-to-pretend-that-i-m/) [Michael Capuano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-capuano/) > [Politicians try to see the world through other people's lenses and try to bring people together so that we can have a mutual view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-capuano/politicians-try-to-see-the-world-through-other-people-s-lenses-and/) [Michael Capuano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-capuano/) > [I think it's right, to have many voices at the table before you send somebody else's child to war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-capuano/i-think-it-s-right-to-have-many-voices-at-the-table-before-you-send/) [Michael Capuano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-capuano/) > [I voted against the creation of ICE. 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