No one likes to be thought of as a conformist who’s afraid to take a chance and break the rules every once in a while. It is my belief that the mark of real courage is "resistince to conforming." It takes courage to be different.
Breaking rules for the sake of doing so, without at least a good understanding of what’s at risk can lead to bad decision-making and lamentable consequences.
Like it or not, there are some “rules” to breaking the rules, including when you should go for it and when you should toe the line. Before you go roque, be sure the situation fits these criteria:
1. YOU KNOW ENOUGH TO MAKE A GOOD BREAK (you need to know the rules before you break them)
Hi, I am Annette Lawrence, a Winter Agent living in Dunedin, Florida. Finding those centers of innovation in real estate is not as easy as one would think. Essentially, residental real estate is a career that embraces fully the closed union shop mentality. Innovation is hard to see in such an environment.
One reason being the imposed conformance required. Much has changed in the values of the citizenry with which we work. Their expectation will compel change. However, change is rarely welcomed in real estate or any other enterprise of long standing. This blogs purpose is the encourage those of vision to garner their courage and walk in the light they possess.
When you know enough to realize that the rules don’t make sense or they’re bogging down productivity, it’s often a good time to break them.
As an example in real estate, in previous decades it was common practice for an agent representing a buyer to call the listing agent directly to schedule a showing. Today, this proves to be a productivity killer, and technology allows scheduleding to be completed without the phone calls. Other examples of 'breaking the rules' in real estate, is seen with REMAX and 95% compensation, agent images on signs aggregate websites and today, cloud brokerages. Each pressed the boundries of the 'rules' until the rules were changed.
2. YOU’VE CALCULATED THE RISK
You have read my blog about Honest Tea and very likely know about Chick-filet, Hobby-Lobby and Swiggies.
Swiggies is a new addition to my list. They make water bottles that affix to the wrists. A sizeable number of the Swiggies customer base included parents purchasing Swiggies for their children. While the children’s market proved to be a good one, Swiggies also noticed running clubs and twenty-somethings were also using Swiggies to hold boozy beverages during fun runs or parties. (Hmmm, 20-something partiers was a surprise market)
Here in these United States, there is heritage of challenging autority at every level. As Americans we embrace a lot of attitude to break the rules because our whole government was founded on rule-breaking back in the mid-1700s. It’s ingrained in us to go against the flow, to rebel, to say, "It ain't so!"Swiggies had a choice: Abide by the rules that said they couldn’t go after both markets for fear of alienating parents. Or, carefully structure marketing to be specifically targeted to each segment and go for it. After careful consideration and ensuring the marketing efforts were distinctly different from each other, Swiggies chose the latter, broke the rules and grew both markets.
Now, the partying segment makes up 30% of a growing business and has led to alcohol companies buying the product to emblazon with the Swiggies logo, while still maintaining healthy sales as a children’s product.
3. THE BREAK ALIGNS WITH YOUR VALUES
Of course, no one is advocating breaking the law, but there is another guiding principle that should govern one's rule-breaking: the gut.
If a rule is telling you to do something that’s against your ethics or morals–or if breaking the rule violates them–then act accordingly. Some retail businesses, established on Christian principles, break the rules of retailing by remaining closed on Sunday. They seem convinced morals and ethics of their faith are of greater value than Sunday profit and an influence on the quality of a life to come. That just might be a more real, but less convienent interpretation of ethics.
“You stand out by breaking the rules with your business–doing things no one else will do but you have to do it in a way that’s true to yourself. Don’t try to be something you’re not.”
4. YOU’RE PREPARED FOR THE CONSEQUENCES
You need to be familiar with industry laws and regulations before you get too ahead of yourself in breaking the rules. Being reckless when it comes to industry requirements can get you into very hot water. In addition, bucking industry norms by cutting corners can have devastating effects on your company and your business.
No one is advocating breaking the law or acting unethically. But even in morally sound situations, you need to think through the consequences of your actions and be prepared to own them, whether they go the way you intended or not.
What is the potential downside of your action, such as lost revenue.
What is the fallout with employees? Broker? Association? Other agents?
Are there other potential loss?
Make certain you are willing to take responsibility for what happens if things don’t go as planned. If you own it you have a better chance of controlling the narrative.
In these United States exists the attitude to break the rules because our whole government was founded on rule breaking back in the mid-1700s. It’s ingrained in us to go against the flow, to challenage authority at every level.
“But don’t hurt other people. Aside from hurting yourself, don’t hurt others.”
"You can break the rules if doing so does not prevent others from getting what they want." More on this in the next blog.
Visionaires have been on the forefront of new thought and concept. In the history of each, came that season where the predominate voice heard was, 'Don't rock the boat!' These who see a new light, pressed forward and brought their baby to life.
So often, it is when things are most difficlut, when we are broken and fractured that the light is able to shine in. Consider how you felt when last you were in the company of a visionary. Could it be their inner light that attracted you?
Some of the best ideas of mankind were never acted upon.
What your visionary idea?
Are you ready to walk in the light that you have?
Ready to break a few rules?
Best of Success,
Annette Lawrence, Broker/Associate
REMAX Realtec Group
Palm Harbor, FL
727. 420. 4041
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