This wouldn’t have happened if you had just followed the directions

Some people can’t follow directions, and some people can’t function without them.

The first camp describes me perfectly.

It’s not a learning disability or a cognitive impairment, it’s just the way my brain works. Linear thinking simply isn’t my thing.

What’s more, my rebellious and independent nature doesn’t want or need to be told what to do, and so, traveling without a map is most likely my default mode.

One specific area where this tendency plays out is during game night.

Our friends gather for dinner, drinks and some good old fashion board and card games. It’s a roaring good time and brings me feelings of deep joy and connection.

With the exception of that excruciating ten minute block of time right before starting a new game, where somebody reads the directions.

Please kick me in the groin. Nothing makes my circuits shut down quicker than having to listen to all the rules we’re supposed to abide by in order to have fun.

It always assaults my sense of competence and makes me feel like an idiot who can’t understand or follow basic directions.

The worst part is when the game starts, and thirty minutes later, I make some move that’s in clear violation of the rules. And one of those librarians who can’t do anything without defined rules shames me in front of the group.

Scott, this wouldn’t have happened if you had just followed the directions.

Trigger warning. Sounds like every elementary school teacher I ever had.

Anyway, this is why the home edition card deck of my productive development and innovation gameshow has no rules.

Now, my friends and colleagues said this approach would never work. They warned me that all card games have directions, and if you don’t instruct people how to play, then they’ll be turned off.

Which actually scared me. For a few months, I considered fleshing out the rules in specific detail.

But it wasn’t me. In the end, my own rebellious personality prevailed. And so, on the side of the box, it says the following:

Creativity is all about breaking the rules. That’s why this game doesn’t have any. There is no right or wrong way to play. These three decks of cards represent a prolific portfolio of product, service and software innovations. All of which focus on increasing joy, reducing friction and healing loneliness. Use these cards to stimulate conversations, run team building exercises, spark brainstorming sessions, challenge each other’s creativity, or kill time while you’re taking a dump. The choice is yours. And if you’re the kind of person who loves to win, too bad. Because with this game, we’re all losers. Enjoy!

To my delight, people loved the fact that there are no directions. They said it was soothing and liberating.

That’s where innovation comes from. When things don’t go according to plan. When you linger and backtrack and jump ahead, making things up along the way.

Following directions is for factory workers. Creative work is different.

Because if the result is stellar and compelling, then the people around you will overlook the fact that the you didn’t do it the right way. 

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
How many rules did you break yesterday?