“You will have rules or you will have rulers.”

It’s a myth that people don’t like to follow rules. It’s simply not true.

People don’t like to follow stupid rules. Or unnecessary rules. Or rules that are outdated or oppressive. People don’t like rules imposed on them without their consent.

But people like following rules that make sense. They like rules they’ve crafted themselves. Rules that clarify expectations and make their lives easier.

Rules that matter are liberating structures—even when they must set hard boundaries.