Admit it. Rules can feel like a ball and chain around your neck.
In the minds of many turbocharged Type A’s, RULES get in the way of RESULTS. The more successful Type A’s become, the more likely they are to rebel against rules in a short-sighted manner and send their companies or their careers down the stinker.
Pay attention if you’ve got any of these red flags waving in your head.
“If they would just get out of my way, then I could really get the big things done.”
“These damn rules are ridiculous! They just slow me down and put up silly barriers to getting things done.”
“I’m a bigger producer than anyone else, so I shouldn’t have to play by the rules.”
“Rules are for losers.”
“I’m smarter (faster, more talented, more successful, etc…) than the people who made the rules, so why should I follow them?!”
Here’s the dark side to this Type A trap. If you break the rules before you master them, you look disrespectful, rude, insubordinate, rash, arrogant… fill in the blank with a whole host of other unpleasant, stinky descriptors.
However, here’s what’s cool about rules. If you master the rules and then break’em (in a constructive manner, of course), you look courageous, visionary and innovative.
What kind of Rule Wrangler are you?
As you ponder your answer, turn up your speakers and join me in singing The Type A Anthem…