Our brains are lazy.
They look for any shortcut to answer a problem in the shortest possible time.
That’s why seeing patterns in the world is so useful. We predict outcomes based on what we see, so we don’t have to think it through. We stereotype people, or brands, or places, or situations. “Gut feel” has nothing to do with our stomachs and everything to do with allowing our brains to relax again.
There’s another common way we allow our brains to relax.
We follow Rules.
When we’ve noticed a pattern and worked out an answer we turn it into a rule.
Do this, don’t do that. From simple commandments to complex government legislation and regulations, humans just love setting rules. Social norms are rules. So are organisational hierarchies.
And our brains love following them.
One problem with rules is obvious. You won’t create anything new by simple do’s and don’ts. Every great improvement in history came from challenging accepted knowledge or boundaries.
A deeper problem is that rules dumb down the universe.
Any do or don’t assumes a certain context. “Don’t touch wet paint” assumes there’s no reason to do so other than curiosity. “Don’t shout loudly” assumes there’s no reason to shout. “Do not enter”, “Don’t overspend your budget”. “Your job is XXX” “my job is YYY” are all there for a reason.
When we elect to follow rules we allow our brains to see a simpler black and white world than exists in reality. Simpler is better for your brain but not always for you.
A critical habit to get into is to look critically at accepted norms and rules. Not to break them for the sake of it, but to ask why they exist and look for exceptions.
Assume the world is complex and understand how that rule or norm sits in that complexity. Don’t assume the rules are the world. Or that the world need all the rules we set. Or that all rules are correct.
Why not touch wet paint?
Why can’t I shout? When would it be ok?
What’s in there that means I can’t go in? How would I behave if I did go there?
Is anything more important than the budget?
Why can’t I try something outside my job description?
Why can’t you?
“…When we elect to follow rules we allow our brains to see a simpler black and white world than exists in reality. …”
Challenging rules is a mind game but also a pattern in itself. Your brain likes patterns remember, so it will dutifully prompt you to challenge rules once you train it.
Think about some hard rules in life. Even safety rules.
Do you ever challenge them?
When you see a rule, written or implied, do you automatically obey or think first?
Do you stop yourself from doing something simply because you know someone might not approve?
Do you speak up when you know your opinion isn’t sought? Do you speak up because your opinion isn’t sought?
Do you follow rules to avoid conflict or to avoid decisions? or because you can see they make sense?
When you’re in the habit of challenging why we follow rules, you’re on your way to being a leader.
.
.
“I might be wrong, but at least I’ve thought about it…”
In the business world, implicit rules can sometimes prevent progress. For example, I often hear team members say things like, “We’ve been doing it this way for over ten years,” or “It’s the industry standard.” In such situations, I ask myself three questions:
1. Do you want to be someone who follows the implicit rules or someone who changes them?
2. What kind of rules would be more effective for business growth?
The first question can usually be answered relatively quickly. The challenge lies in the second question. Especially nowadays, even when we think we’ve found an answer, we often need to continuously adapt the rules to keep up. It’s impossible to handle this alone. That’s when I ask the third question:
3. How can I create an organization that can adapt and change the rules without relying on me?
It’s not an easy task, and it remains a daily challenge for me.