A series of events has me thinking about rules.

First I thought about the Rule MAKERS I know.

We’ll make this rule because it will make MY job easier!

Then I thought about the Rule BREAKERS I know.

I follow ALL the rules… EXCEPT

Then I thought about the Rule FAKERS I know.  

This rule is here just for our protection – I don’t care if it is followed or not, but if the authorities ever come, I can show them our rules.

[Tweet “Do you know any Rule Makers, Rule Breakers or  Rule Fakers? “]

And then I started to wonder if the makers, breakers and fakers ever considered these questions before they made a rule, broke a rule or pretended to have a rule. 

Who are the rules for?

• Your citizens?
• Your customers?
• Your employees?
• The titled leaders?
• The people or teams you don’t like?
• The auditors?
• The lawyers?
• Yourself?

Why were they created?

• To support a vision?
• To breathe long-term life and health into an organization?
• For safety?
• For security?
• For cleanliness?
• To control others?
• For the benefit of one person or one team or one group of people?
• To pretend to care about a problem?
• To cover the leader’s rear if there is a problem?
• To prevent a conflict between individuals, teams, and groups of people?
• To deal with a temporary situation?
• To address an individual situation indirectly?

Who holds people accountable?

• All of the titled leaders, all of the time?
• Some of the titled leaders, some of the time?
• Peers?
• Direct Reports?
• Customers?
• Auditors?
• Lawyers?
• No one?

How well are the rules working?

• Are they limiting risk?
• Are they increasing trust?
• Are they limiting division and conflicts?
• Are they simple?
• Are they easy to understand?
• Are they bringing people together?
• Are they increasing efficiency? …Effectiveness? …Service? …Results?

• Why do you make rules?
• Do you follow all of the rules someone else makes – ALL OF THE TIME?
• And if not, how do you decide which rules you follow, which ones you break and which ones you fake?