Break Rules to Build Something Better
Sometimes breaking the rules is the first step to breaking the mold and building what others won’t.
What’s one thing Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and Warren Buffet have in common?
They didn’t follow the rules.
Instead, they rewrote them to help create the “what’s next?” revolution.
In other words, they refused to follow trends or wait for change.
They became the change.
😬 Breaking the Mold
Revolutions aren’t started by those who follow the rules but rather by those who break them. And the real impact comes from those who break the rules with purpose, not just to disrupt, but to build something better.
Here’s how some of the most successful business innovators defied the rules:
Bill Gates challenged the rules - Early on, it was believed that computing was only for the elite. While others built massive machines for corporations, he envisioned a computer on every desk and then made it happen.
Steve Jobs broke the rules - Most believed tech companies should focus on their core products and services. By shifting Apple's focus from computers to consumer devices, he redefined entire industries, from music to mobile.
Warren Buffett rewrote the rules - Mr. Buffett refused to follow rule #1 in the investment playbook with the “buy low, sell high” mantra. Instead, he rewrote the rulebook with a simple but powerful philosophy: buy great companies at undervalued prices and hold them for the long haul, a philosophy now known as value investing. He had a contrarian approach, buying when others are fearful and selling when others are greedy.
Instead of playing by the rules, they changed the game entirely.
✍️ Rewriting the Playbook
Smart disruption isn’t just breaking rules, it’s about rewriting them to create a better future. True rule breakers don’t just think outside the box. They imagine a whole new world beyond it.
There are many established norms with writing that I’m currently challenging. Some of the assumptions I’m testing include:
“Write consistently” - I took a month off, not out of laziness, but to recharge. When I came back, I had something real to say with fresh thoughts and ideas.
“Always be positive” - I shared raw and difficult situations in past newsletters. It got more gratitude and praise than I ever did for always trying to sound upbeat.
“Stay in your lane” - I stepped outside of my networking realm to write about faith, fear, hope, and what really matters. The connection with my readers only deepened.
“Follow the formula” - Although formulas can guide you, they can also box you in. For example, more and more thought leaders are encouraging writers to use some variation of the following formula when posting content:
Hook
State a problem
Agitate the situation
Provide a solution
CTA
This formula for posting content is sound advise but it doesn't work in every situation.
Sometimes, the magic happens when you just write freely and without a plan.
✅ The Takeaway
Behind every breakthrough is a person who dared to think differently. Every major leap forward began with someone willing to question the rules.
If rules are meant to be broken, why have them at all?
A few things worth keeping in mind:
Not all rules are bad. The best rule breakers know which ones to break and which ones keep them grounded.
Rules aren’t the enemy. It’s not rules that limit us but the wrong ones. Smart rule breakers push boundaries, not common sense. Bold doesn’t mean reckless. Smart rule breakers know the difference.
Rules exist for order. Rules offer structure and a framework based on what has worked in the past. Rule breakers show us what will work in the future.
Simply put, rules exist for a reason. They are needed because they create order, provide guidance, and help us build on what works. Rules make things fairer, safer, and more predictable.
But rule breakers are important because they drive change, challenge outdated thinking, and push boundaries that lead to innovation.
Here are a few ways rule breakers change the world:
They challenge complacency and inspire others to think differently.
They spark innovation by challenging assumptions about what’s “impossible” or “impractical.”
They drive progress in culture, products, and business models that redefine industries.
Those who challenge the rules often end up rewriting them for everyone else to follow.
Rule breakers aren’t reckless. They’re relentless in pursuit of something better.
What if the rules you’ve been following are the ones holding you back?
Learn to Network to Connect.
Have a great weekend!
- Mike
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Brilliantly put — this captures the essence of purposeful rebellion. It’s not about chaos for chaos’ sake; it’s about knowing which rules are outdated, limiting, or blindly followed—and daring to question them.
Breaking rules to build something better? Now that's a vibe I can get behind. But here's the kicker the article didn't quite address: sometimes, the best rules to break are our own.
Think about it. We all carry around mental rulebooks we've written for ourselves over the years. Maybe it’s “I must always stick to what I know” or “Everything needs to be perfect before I launch.” These rules might feel safe, even comforting, but they also keep us playing small.
What if Steve Jobs had stuck to his ‘rules’ as that scrappy kid in a garage? Or if Warren Buffett decided, “Eh, better not challenge the system”? The hindsight of their success makes breaking rules look obvious, but in real time? It’s terrifying brilliance.
Building better doesn’t just come from breaking society’s rules—it comes from the guts to rewrite your personal ones too. After all, the most ground-breaking innovations often begin with “Why not me?”.