Rules to Violate to Become an Effective Leader

 

 

Rules are something we have to deal with all our lives. We are forever being admonished that the only way forward is to follow. If we don’t follow the rules, we are reprimanded with the equivalent of personal fire and brimstone.

Despite this, there are times (more times than you might imagine) when breaking the rules is the best path to success. This is especially true when it comes to rules that rule your activities and future in the corporate world. Over time, corporate rules have become more about containment and control than accomplishment and achievement. Follow these rules at your own risk. The trick is to know why, when and how to break rules that should be broken.   

To Become An Effective Leader – Make Your Own Rules

We could pick a passel of questionable rules from virtually any endeavor, but for this discussion let’s assume that you have a desire to become an effective corporate leader. What are some of the established and accepted corporate rules and mores that are in place to “help” you become an effective leader? And most important, how should you deal with them?

 

RULE – The leader should always be out front as the hero. REACTION – Let others carry the flag.

RULE -- Work to consolidate as much power as possible. REACTION – Share power by empowering others.

RULE – Know it all.
REACTION – Be open to what others know.

RULE – Be above it all.
REACTION – Be accessible to all.

RULE – Tell people what to do.
REACTION – Teach them how to do it.

RULE – Have all the answers.
REACTION – Look to others for answers.

RULE – Take all the credit.
REACTION – Give all the credit away.

RULE – Resist change as a potential threat.
REACTION – Explore and embrace change as an opportunity.

RULE – Rewards are for the top.
REACTION – Start rewards at the bottom.

RULE – Make it all about the leader.
REACTION – Make it all about everyone else.

The Ethics Of Challenging The Established Rules

The most ethical thing to do is the right thing, not the things others expect you to do. Remember, your objective is how successful you become, not how well you follow the rules. When entrenched rules become all-encompassing and outmoded to the extent that they prevent rather than promote accomplishment, the only ethical action to take is to be willing to challenge and change those rules.

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Bob MacDonald – Former CEO of ITT Life, founder of LifeUSA, retired chairman and CEO of Allianz Life of North America; author of numerous books on business, management and leadership. Bobmac5201@gmail.com

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