Self-Made Rules

Citrom writes . . .

This is about Mitch, in the cubicle across the aisle.

I've sat across from Mitch for about two years now; he's a quiet person, but considered very hardworking. Recently, I've had the opportunity to work with Mitch on a few different projects, and I can add the words "competent" and "intelligent" to the description. It's very much a pleasure working with Mitch.

Except for his Rules.

Mitch, in his own way, is a subtle "anarchist": if there is a Company rule that stands in the way of what needs to get done, Mitch will ride over that rule without regard. Does the Purchase Order require 5 copies, 3 of which everyone knows nobody will read? Mitch writes up 2 copies and lets the nobodies notice and follow-up with him to press their point. So far, nobody knows nothing, does nothing, cares. So Mitch's point is made: it was a useless rule without sense, therefore it is senseless to follow it. And so on. I cannot argue: I follow every rule and feel trapped by the arbitrary nature of so many of them. Mitch is free.

Or so I thought.

But then, as I wrote earlier, there are Mitch's Rules.

It seems that, to get a grasp on things, Mitch has created a subset of mini-rules that guide him through any project. This is how he thinks, therefore, these are the Rules that must be followed to guide the thoughts toward successful completion of the project. I don't even think Mitch considers them Rules, but he follows them with the rigid adherence of self-discipline just the same. And they lead him to understanding the project, and that project is successfully completed.

But they are, just the same, arbitrary Rules: self-made, true, but Arbitrary just the same.

Why does this matter?

It doesn't, if you work in a vacuum. It doesn't, if you work alone. It doesn't, if your way is the only way.

But it's not. It never is. Never do you get all three of those conditions, together.

It doesn't even matter if you have conditions one and two - independence and sole control over the project - it doesn't matter because the sadness of watching Mitch work is that his self-made Rules stop on that one step before being truly creative: he only can do things one way - his way or no way.

This is the dictatorship of Self-Made Rules: for all their internal logic and usefulness, they create a wall - a cattle chute, if you will, that guides thoughts and activities down a predetermined path as surely as if hemmed in by Arbitrary rules, Bureaucratic Rules, Obsolete Rules or plain, old-fashioned Stupid Idiot Rules.

As the mini-tragedy of people like Mitch - hardworking, competent, intelligent people - Self-Made Rules mean that there will never be a breakthrough or "Eureka" moment: there can only be a repeat of what was learned, reapplied again and again. This will serve most instances, it will satisfy most needs. It will never innovate, always replicate.

And, meanwhile, the anarchist Mitches and their more silent kin rebel against the Company-imposed Arbitrary Rules that make their worklife miserable, building their own cell walls willingly.