E034 Conformity and Nonconformity

Passionately Wrong Podcast Episode E034

Conformity and Nonconformity

Key takeaway: Conformism vs. nonconformism is an issue that comes up often in life. It comes up when you are young and trying to figure out what to do. It comes up in business. Consider the context, be thoughtful, and accept that there’s probably a reason for the rule. Be effective when challenging rules by showing you understand the context. 

Topics covered in this video: 

• When should you do what other people are doing and why? When can you go your own way?
• How the military approaches conformity and why (nonconformity is not an option).
• Companies also have rules and regulations. It’s necessary to understand the reasons for a rule before you should challenge it. That’s a better way to help organizations adapt over time.
• When it’s appropriate to conform as an individual: rules are beneficial and following them will increase your odds of success (e.g. go to school, get an education, start work before you get married), following the rules is beneficial to your success 
• When you’re new to an organization, it’s helpful to conform at first while you gather background information to understand why the rules are the way they are
• Nonconformity means bucking the majority trend (what everyone else does), standing out
• Achieving exceptional results may require nonconformity 
• Consider behavior in terms of risk-taking: consider downsides as well as upsides
• If you’re the leader, it helps to explain why rules were put in place: increases compliance, gives people a chance to ask questions, allows for updating of rules
• Cultural norms influence individuals’ willingness to conform to societal rules
• Your compliance with a rule has an impact on others around you - are you being nonconformist to improve your own life, or to be provocative or even offensive?
• Mindless adherence to rules that defy common sense is also problematic