How to Turn Rule-Breakers Into Your Best Asset

Break rules with a purpose, not just because you want

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Your employee broke a company rule to help a customer. Should you praise them or punish them?

That’s a tricky one, right? You want to recognize their good intentions, but you also worry others might start breaking rules, too. If you’re stuck in this dilemma, you’re not alone.

Many leaders punish the wrong people. They crack down on rule-breakers without asking why they broke the rule. Meanwhile, they reward employees who hide behind rules and say things like “That’s not in my job” to avoid responsibility.

The real problem isn’t rule-breakers. It’s that most leaders can’t tell the difference between an asset and a liability.

This post shows how to position rule-breakers to work in your favor. You’ll learn how to help good rule-breakers break rules for the right reasons, not their own benefit.

Why Good Rebels Break the Rules

“The first rule of breaking a rule is to know everything about the rule.” —Nuno Roque

Sometimes, you have to break the rules to start a fire.