Rules – Conformers, Breakers & Makers.
Mary Quant is quoted as saying:
“Rules are invented for lazy people who don’t want to think for themselves.”
Whilst this might be true, I think there are several different types of people who can be identified by their approach to rules, and it’s worth understanding which ones you wish to work with.
Let’s start with the conformers, those who stick to the rules.
Broadly, these people form the majority. Of course there are those who are slavish to rules, and then those who mostly go along with them with occasional disent, but for the most part these people follow the path most travelled.
Then there are the breakers. The people who challenge accepted norms; again they range from the mild to extreme.
Thirdly are the makers, not just those in political power or law courts, but the market makers, pioneers, and mavericks.
My sense is that most businesses would do well to have a majority of conformists, a few breakers (naysayers to cause people to stop and ask “Is this still a good thing to do?”), and ideally more than one maker.
My bet though is that the majority of companies don’t have many breakers, (and those who are keep schtum to fit in, other than when out of earshot of the boss), and the only maker is the founder/CEO.
This isn’t a healthy mix.
Breakers can be draining, and makers exhausting, but they’re the ones who keep a company fresh and exciting. They drive innovation, improvement and initiatives.
In their absence, laziness becomes the default.
Join over 6,000 property professionals, including leading estate and letting agents and receive information, insight, ideas and inspiration (four-i) from top estate agency coach Peter Knight, straight to your inbox every Monday. Join now
Find out more about Property Academy and the services we provide here.
Agree or disagree with the views expressed in this newsletter? Share the article and your views on social media today.
Follow our social channels here:
