Challenge Rules If They Don't Make Sense

In 1963, psychologist Stanley Milgram conducted an experiment on obedience, now known as The Milgram Experiment.

In this experiment, participants were divided into groups of teachers and students. The "teachers" were asked to administer painful electric shocks to "students" who gave incorrect answers to questions. The shocks weren’t real, though the teachers did not know that. As the experiment progressed, the teachers grew concerned and asked if it was okay to continue. They were encouraged to do so and were assured they would not be held responsible for the outcomes.

The participants were given more and more painful shocks and they screamed in pain; some even banged on the wall and pretended to complain of a bad heart. In the end, 65% of the teachers obeyed orders to punish the students to the very end of the 450-volt scale! No one stopped before reaching 300 volts. If the shocks were real the participants would have died.

In 2006 I told the story of the Milgram Experiment in a speech about taking the road less traveled. I provided "7 Steps to the Road Less Traveled"; step number three was "Challenge Rules If They Don't Make Sense." This step holds true today.

Wherever there are rules that don't make sense, exercise the courage to challenge them. Your decision to do so may make a difference in your life or the lives of others.

Unleash your brilliance without boundaries,
Christine

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