I tend to be a rule-follower, for better or worse. It’s a common trait often attributed to first-born children, and it fits me pretty well.
However, in the past few years I’ve found that avoiding some rules can be very helpful.
EOS
At GreenMellen, we largely follow the EOS (“Entrepreneurial Operating System”) method of running our company. We find that about 80% of it works great for us, but we were struggling with some aspects of it — not everything seemed to work for us.
While in a strategy session with Jason Blumer a few years ago, we raised this point. His answer was remarkably simple, and pretty obvious in hindsight — “then don’t do those things”.
Ali and I were so focused on doing EOS “the right way”, that we let things get a little cloudy. Jason giving us permission to veer a bit away from the system was all we needed.
altMBA
I saw a similar thing happen when I took the altMBA. Each writing prompt had fairly specific instructions on what you were supposed to do. For the most part, people followed that path. Some didn’t. All were great.
Reading a prompt might say “do x”, but when unpacking “x” it spurs a great idea you’ve been pondering about idea “y”. So write about “y” instead! The altMBA has no grades, no passing or failing — it’s just about getting better. If you wanted to turn a prompt sideways so you could get more out of it, you were encouraged to do so.
I’ll still continue to be a rule-follower by nature, but I’m trying to keep my eyes open so I don’t get stuck on a path where a venture to the side might make more sense.
Mickey, rules from my point of view are nothing more than a guide. Following the rules are important don’t get me wrong but I am so grateful for those that broke a few rules along the way like Steve Jobs, Walt Disney, Elon Musk and so many more. I’m not sure if they really broke the rules or if they just made them better and created a few new ones along the way. I feel you should never be held back by the rules, if you are, change them, make them better or create new ones yourself to get you to the dreams and goals you have set for yourself along the way. You may not know this but one of the reasons I follow you and listen to you every chance I get is that to me I like some of the rules you are changing and the new one you are creating. Keep it up, it inspires us fellow rule breakers to do the same! 😉
Well said, Mark! Those are certainly excellent examples.
Well said. I definitely felt that permission in AltMBA and I am taking it out into my business as well. So many of the rules are self imposed or misunderstood anyway. It pays to have a practice of questioning those rules.
100%. Most rules have a purpose behind them, and are likely worth following, but it’s good to unpack and discover that purpose and then decide if it really makes sense to follow them or not.