Visiting the Festival of Work conference this year in London, Alex Correa was asked what characteristics make for her perfect job.

It’s a question that we too love to ask and one that leads to so many more.

What would your perfect job look like?

What work would you like to see yourself doing?

What people do you want to surround yourself with?

In what kind of environment?

What’s the one thing that would make work fit well with your life right now?

They are collectively a blend of questions that provoke thought and dreams of a different existence. They often ignite a feeling of purpose and wonder, of extending ourselves and challenging who we are and what we can add to a team or an organisation. A chance to learn new things and extend our capability. Of contributing to something more meaningful that sees us earning an income the enables the life we've long planned.

But let’s be clear about something. The use of the word 'perfect' is both an aspirational one and a subjective one. We may be able to "inch" that bit closer to perfection but ignoring the need for compromise and flexibility will only lead to disappointment and the honeymoon might be over before it’s even started.