When Did We StopFollowing the Rules?by Gary A. SmithGary A.Smith, Sr. Partner,Ivy Planning GroupAs I was driving to work the other day it suddenly occurredto me that we’ve become a society that doesn’t believe infollowing the rules. We don’t yield when the sign says toyield; we barely stop when we encounter that big red stopsign; and signaling a turn is definitely optional. Of course,the only way this can work is if everyone else really doesfollow the rules. Rolling through the stop sign really isn’t allthat dangerous if everyone else always stops. But if no onestops, then you’ve got a big problem.As I began to think about how we all break the rules, I startedto wonder if we break or disregard the rules because wesimply don’t believe that they should apply to us, or simplybecause we don’t even know what the rules are anymore?What if drivers confronted with a yield sign on the beltwayactually believe that they are supposed to drive as fast asthey can and force their cars into the smallest of possiblespaces rather than simply pause or even stop until they cansafely merge into traffic? Now before you tell me I need tolet this driving analogy go, let me remind you that it’s notjust the rules of the road we ignore. I think it is beginning toapply to every aspect of our lives.When did we change elevator etiquette so that instead ofwaiting for people to get off the elevator before we get on,we now just let whoever is in the biggest hurry go first?When did waiting your turn in line become passé? I love howpeople use the phrase, “I just have a question,” to justifygetting in front of a line of people waiting to do something(other than ask a question I guess!!!). Then there’s theperception that telling a plane load of passengers to turnoff their electronic devices is merely a suggestion (no Idon’t agree with the rule either, but that’s beside the point).”After all,” the thinking apparently goes, “I’m the only onedoing something really important and I have no idea whatthe rest of you are doing, so I’m going to keep mine on todo this ‘one last thing.’”On our jobs, in our homes, schools, businesses, and dailyactivities, we all seem to be looking for the work-around,the exception, how the uniqueness of our circumstancejustifies why the rule doesn’t really apply to us. It’s as ifthe rules are for other people, for someone else to follow.We’ve begun to cross the line so many times a day, in somany situations, that I think we honestly don’t even knowwhere the line is anymore. It has blurred into a vagueboundary that really doesn’t apply to us. We know it’s outthere somewhere and, in a pinch, if we had to, we know wecould find it somehow, but we’ve simply stopped looking.We’ve lost our way and the generation that will follow ushas been paying close attention. They’ve watched us andadopted this “new normal” for themselves.Our businesses suffer too. As entrepreneurs we areoften held to a different standard. One that, I have oftencommented, may not even be fair. But the rules AREthe rules. Yet in our new “disregard the rules” society,how often do we cite how a big company is allowed tocircumvent a rule to justify our not having to follow itas well? But isn’t that beside the point? Does it reallymatter who gets away with disregarding it if a rule ismeant to be followed? We’re not supposed to decidewhen to stop at the stop sign. We’re supposed to juststop…every time, no matter what. The funny thing isthat adhering to the rules is actually easier. It makes lifesimpler and more predictable.So as an experiment, I want you to write down every ruleyou break for the next week. Let’s just call it our Top 10.If you get stuck at three just ask someone that knowsyou well and I’m sure they’ll help you out. Pay attentionto when you break them, why you break them, and whatadvantage or consequence makes doing so beneficial orrisky. We’ll share them in a future column and see whatthey reveal about us and the slippery slope we’re on.As a society and as entrepreneurs, this need to adhere tothe rules is only going to matter more as we go forward.We’ve entered a period of confusion over the rules at thelow end to near lawlessness at the extreme that I believe24 <strong>Minority</strong> <strong>Enterprise</strong> Advocate • November-December 2010
is going to produce a need to swingthe pendulum back the other way. Therules that people are willing to adhereto, the established conventionsthat people follow to govern theirinteractions, define a society. And aswe operate in a global society and aglobal marketplace, the boundariesand rules will only become moredifficult to understand. We see thattoday in the way deals are negotiated,joint ventures are established, andconcepts such as the rule of law orintellectual property are constantlybeing tested.The one thing I know for sure is makingit up as we go won’t work. Deciding“right of way” in the middle of theintersection is never a good idea.Gary A. Smith is Founder and SeniorPartner of Ivy Planning Group LLC.Ivy Planning Group (IVY) is a fullservice management consulting andtraining firm. Established in 1990,IVY took its core business consultingskills in strategy development, changemanagement, leadership developmentand performance measurement anddeployed them through a diversitylens. IVY helps leverage difference as aworkforce, workplace and marketplaceopportunity. Gary Smith can be reachedat GSmith@ivygroupllc.com. nw w w.alfonzoport e r.com 301-636-4321<strong>Minority</strong> <strong>Enterprise</strong> Advocate • November-December 201025
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