3 ms·

The best way to deal with stupid corporate policies is to ignore them. Working remote when you're not "allowed to" is a big one to ignore, and if you don't have

The best way to deal with stupid corporate policies is to ignore them. Working remote when you're not "allowed to" is a big one to ignore, and if you don't have the access credentials you need, it might not even be possible. There are other policies that are much easier to ignore, though. Don't like the dress code? Dress however you want. Don't think the status meeting requires your attendance? Don't go. Mandatory office hours are 9-5 but you have better things to do with your morning? Show up at 11. What are they gonna do, fire you? Not likely. It's hard to hire people, and it's risky to fire people who perform well but flout pointless rules. Maybe some of your coworkers will resent you for thinking you're special and the rules don't apply to you, but don't let their jealousy stop you. If your company isn't going to treat you like an adult, you don't owe them anything.

nlh 6y ago
I really like this approach (and I tend to do this myself), but lots of people get really upset. PG wrote an essay recently in which he talks about “aggressive conformists” and “aggressive non-conformists”. You’re right in that being an aggressive non-conformist at a big company likely (though not definitely) won’t get you fired, but it certainly will rankle the aggressive conformists and not make you many friends from that group. And that may or may not be really bad for your career.
dougmwne 6y ago
Protip: don't follow this advice. Your coworkers will resent you and you'll have a bad time. Corporate rules can be broken, but it should always been done in a savvy way instead of a brazen way. In most orgs, your performance is less important than people's perception and opinion of you. Find a way to show them the respect and deference they crave, even if you break their rules anyway.
- HelloNurse 6y ago
  Being annoying and arrogant is bad performance in itself: you are producing irritation and resentment (e.g. giving the impression that rules apply to everyone else).
k__ 6y ago
True. I always showed up at 11, while they didn't fire me, they also didn't promote me.
JamesSwift 6y ago
"If your company isn't going to treat you like an adult act like a child"

nlh 6y ago

I really like this approach (and I tend to do this myself), but lots of people get really upset. PG wrote an essay recently in which he talks about “aggressive conformists” and “aggressive non-conformists”. You’re right in that being an aggressive non-conformist at a big company likely (though not definitely) won’t get you fired, but it certainly will rankle the aggressive conformists and not make you many friends from that group. And that may or may not be really bad for your career.

dougmwne 6y ago

Protip: don't follow this advice. Your coworkers will resent you and you'll have a bad time. Corporate rules can be broken, but it should always been done in a savvy way instead of a brazen way. In most orgs, your performance is less important than people's perception and opinion of you. Find a way to show them the respect and deference they crave, even if you break their rules anyway.

HelloNurse 6y ago
Being annoying and arrogant is bad performance in itself: you are producing irritation and resentment (e.g. giving the impression that rules apply to everyone else).

k__ 6y ago

True. I always showed up at 11, while they didn't fire me, they also didn't promote me.

JamesSwift 6y ago

"If your company isn't going to treat you like an adult act like a child"