Successful managers should be breaking the rules

Hell, there are no rules here - we’re trying to accomplish something. Thomas A. Edison

I’ve found the most successful and exciting environments to work, study or play in are those with “no rules”. Environments that are open and flexible and not strictly controlled with things you can’t do. It’s exciting to be in these situations, inspiring, sometimes a bit scary, but always memorable.

Rosa Say has a brilliant read for all managers about how the use (or abuse) of rules often limits our creativity and enthusiasm. What are the Rules? Hopefully, none.

  • “No rules” requires clear objectives and goals.
  • “No rules” requires planning.
  • “No rules” requires discipline and commitment.
  • “No rules” demands responsibility for actions and outcomes.
  • “No rules” is about inventing process. Creating and forming the process required, or desired, in order to get the job done and reach the objective.
  • “No rules” is about allowing creativity and innovation into every decision that brings us closer to our objectives.
  • “No rules” is about questioning the status quo in order to explore new and different solutions and methods.
  • “No rules” is about accepting and integrating new ideas.
  • “No rules” is about tolerance and examination of new concepts.
  • “No rules” is about getting excited and energized by every life or work experience.

If you tell people where to go, but not how to get there, you’ll be amazed at the results. George S. Patton

It is good to obey all the rules when you’re young, so you’ll have the strength to break them when you’re old. Mark Twain

Related Links

What are the rules? Hopefully, none.

5 ways to promote creative thinking and idea generation

Is your boss a prison warden or party host?

This entry was posted on September 14, 2006 at 8:16 am and is filed under Bits and Pieces of Accumulated Experience, Business, Business Ideas, Business and Entrepreneurship, Creative, Decision Making, Enthusiasm, Goals, Ideas & Thoughts, Ideas!, Imagination, Innovation, Innovation & Creativity, Learning, Lee Iwan, Lee Iwan Bits and PIeces of Accumulated Experience, Leon, Leon Guanajuato, Management, Motivational, Organizations, Passion, Personal Growth, Planning, Reinvention, Rules, Strategic Planning, The corporate world, Work, Work Life Balance, Workplace, attitude, breaking rules, business manager, corporate world, creativity, empowerment, entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, freedom, leader, leaders, leadership, manager, motivation, office, performance, sharing ideas, strategy, team leadership, team participation, the boss, workplace issues. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

5 Responses to “Successful managers should be breaking the rules”

  1. Scott Says:
    September 14, 2006 at 9:45 am

    I love it! Actually, that’s what I try to do in my office. I find that if you make the goal doing the job and not following a bunch of rules that you end up with a better product or service and happier employees.

    Great post.

  2. Joyful Jubilant Learning Says:
    May 30, 2007 at 1:44 am

    Learn a New Way to Play Monopoly

    … by learning to change the rules. We learn most, and we learn best from people. People know stuff. The first time I met Skip and Caroline Andrews of our Ho’ohana Community (that is, the first time in person) we

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