Good Systems · public information library

What can I do at work to help someone when they only see what is wrong even when things are going well?

People come here to understand why something in everyday life feels harder, different or more costly than it should — and what might make it work better.

Short answer

Build review conversations that include what is working.

What this can look like

Teams can focus on defects and miss the practices already producing good work.

Why it can happen

Teams need error detection, but constant fault-finding can make people hide risks or stop contributing. Use a balanced review: strengths, issue, impact and next move.

What might help

Use reviews that name strengths, risks and the next improvement.

What the research helps explain

Research and public guidance describe perfectionism and overcontrol by their impact on finishing, flexibility, relationships and quality of life. In a workplace, clear standards, proportionate quality controls and fair management are useful without deciding whether an employee has OCD, OCPD, anxiety or another experience.

What can vary

The same behaviour can have different meanings in different work contexts. Do not diagnose employees, request private medical information or make support conditional on disclosure. Focus on task demands, impact and a workable agreement.

For this situation

For you, make quality feedback specific enough to act on.

More info and original sources

Poko summarises the relevance of public original sources and links out for anyone who wants to read more.