When Barbara Stone was a little girl, she only wanted to fit in. However, as a child from an immigrant family, fitting in wasn’t in the cards. So, Barb developed a skill set to make herself irresistible; she became a perfectionist. For 25 years, Barb’s obsession with being flawless helped her compete with the boys in the manufacturing sector as she rose up the corporate ladder to executive vice president and CFO. But even with her accomplishments and the offer of a President’s role waiting for her signature, Bard felt that there was one thing missing from her perfect story: happiness. In a stirring TEDx Talk, titled “Why Being Perfect is Overrated,” Barb challenged an audience to confront the ways people often hide behind achievements and strive for unattainable ideals. In this Podcast episode, Barb explores how the pressure of perfectionism can limit our potential and disconnect us from our true selves. As a leadership development coach, Barb invites clients to embrace their imperfections, celebrate their vulnerabilities, and live authentically.