Nitin Gupta, Founder and CEO of Etherea, has never been one to shy away from personal reflection, especially when it comes to sharing insights from his own journey. On his recent birthday, he shared a profound message with his LinkedIn community, offering a glimpse into how his philosophy has shifted over the years—moving away from the often paralyzing pursuit of perfection and embracing the power of progress. For Nitin Gupta, this change in mindset has been transformative, both personally and professionally, and his message holds a valuable lesson for all.
Nitin Gupta’s reflections on perfectionism ring true for many in today’s fast-paced world, where the pressure to deliver flawless results can sometimes feel overwhelming. He acknowledges that, at one point, he was trapped in the pursuit of perfection. Every project had to be just right, every idea fully formed before it could be shared. As he described it in his post, “a lot of great ideas gathered dust on my shelf.” It’s a sentiment that resonates with many who have felt stifled by the belief that their work must be perfect before it’s released into the world.
However, Nitin Gupta learned that this approach was not only counterproductive but also led to missed opportunities. His key takeaway? “Messy action beats perfect inaction. Every. Single. Time.” It’s a lesson that changed the trajectory of his work and life, and it’s a message he now champions for others. In a world where many of us fear failure or embarrassment, Nitin Gupta emphasizes that it’s the very act of starting—no matter how imperfect—that leads to growth, learning, and eventual success.
One of the most compelling aspects of Nitin Gupta’s post is his candidness about failure and imperfection. “No one starts perfect,” he says, and this simple truth is often forgotten in the face of the high standards we set for ourselves. Nitin Gupta reminds us that every successful journey begins with a messy first step. Whether it’s launching a product that isn’t quite perfect or sharing a blog post that feels incomplete, the act of putting oneself out there, messy and all, is where real progress begins.
For Nitin Gupta, this mindset shift has had profound implications for his role as a leader. As the CEO of Etherea, a company at the forefront of innovation, he has seen firsthand how embracing imperfection can lead to breakthroughs. In an industry that thrives on agility and adaptability, the ability to take imperfect action, gather feedback, and iterate quickly is far more valuable than waiting for perfection. “That messy first step? It’s pure gold. It’s feedback. It’s real-world data. It’s progress,” he writes, highlighting how important it is to learn from early, imperfect efforts rather than be immobilized by the fear of not getting it right the first time.
Nitin Gupta’s message is also a call to action for others who may be struggling with the same perfectionist tendencies. He offers a simple but powerful piece of advice: “Give yourself permission to be messy. To fail. To learn.” It’s a message that encourages individuals to be kinder to themselves, to understand that failure is not the enemy, but rather a necessary part of growth. For Nitin Gupta, the path to success is not a straight line, nor is it paved with flawless execution. Instead, it’s a series of messy, sometimes embarrassing steps that ultimately lead to improvement and success.
In his post, Nitin Gupta urges his audience to “launch that ‘imperfect’ product” or “write that ‘not-quite-there’ blog post.” These words aren’t just advice; they are a testament to his own experiences as a founder and CEO. In the world of entrepreneurship, waiting for the perfect moment or the flawless product can often mean missing out on key opportunities. Nitin Gupta has learned that the world doesn’t wait for perfection, and neither should we. By taking action, however imperfect, we move closer to our goals and allow ourselves the space to learn and improve along the way.
The journey of Nitin Gupta serves as a powerful example of how leaders can inspire others not by presenting a polished, perfect version of themselves but by being open about their own struggles and growth. His evolution from a perfectionist to someone who embraces messy action is a reminder that success is not about avoiding mistakes, but about learning from them. It’s about showing up, day after day, even when things aren’t perfect, and trusting that the process of progress will eventually lead to something remarkable.
In a world that often glorifies the idea of perfection, Nitin Gupta stands out for his authenticity and willingness to challenge this narrative. His message is clear: done is better than perfect. It’s a mantra that he lives by, and one that he encourages others to adopt. As he puts it, “Messy action will take you further than perfect plans ever will.” This powerful statement underscores the importance of taking action, learning from the results, and continuously improving, rather than waiting for everything to be just right.
As Nitin Gupta continues to lead Etherea and inspire those around him, his message of progress over perfection is one that will undoubtedly resonate with many. His journey reminds us that while perfection may be an admirable goal, it’s progress—born from messy, imperfect action—that ultimately leads to success. And as he aptly puts it, “Now, go make a beautiful mess. The world is waiting.” Nitin Gupta’s words are a reminder to all of us that the courage to start, despite the imperfections, is what truly sets us on the path to greatness.
