Reality Check Leaders Do Not Give Up Control Easily.

I read this story the other day.

Woman Arrested for Not Watering Lawn
July 6th, 2007 @ 10:00pm
Sam Penrod Reporting

It was about a woman arrested for resisting getting a ticket for not watering her lawn. The woman who is a widow and grandmother was actually put in a cell for refusing to give her name. Her name would have been used to write her a ticket for not watering her lawn.

She told the water police that she could not afford to water her lawn but I guess big brother knew best. The hell with food and medicine, you have to keep your grass green for the good of the village, town, city-state, nation, and world. Mrs. Perry is 70 years old for God sake.

If this were isolated instance, there would not be much to talk about. However, the fact is our lives are controlled more and more by those who actually believe the government knows best. You know government, where the mediocre seek revenge on the successful by enforcing silly and intrusive rules. Our lives are also controlled by organizations. Many companies are demanding unreasonable compliance from their employees, both in and out of the work place.

As we go to work every day we are surrounded by rules about the way we should think, feel and behave. Our organizations provide a reward system based on following the rules. Moreover, as we know, all relevant behavior that is rewarded is repeated. A lucky few wake up and think about what the get to do rather than what they have to do. The rest try to follow the rules established by those in power. We all must remember that those in power do not make rules that will benefit those “not in power”. A reality check leader focuses on what needs to be done, not on “this is the way we have always done it”.

So the next time you see yet another restriction on your discretion, on your right to control your life, say something. It does not have to be a life of lock step, follow in line, don’t make waves. Waves are good for everyone. Leaders particularly need to reward wave making. It’s good for the organization and its fun.