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Why Unquestioned Obedience to Authority is Dangerous
We all follow rules. Most of us don’t know why if we are being honest with ourselves. We just know that we were essentially forced to be compliant starting in the family structure. This followed us to the school system and later in the work environment. Some rules are written down, but a good majority are unwritten. We follow the written rules because of the threat of punishment. We follow the unwritten rules because we are expected to comply with these rules because we can be socially ostracized from where we try to find belonging.
Some systems and organizations are quite hypocritical in this regard. A company will declare that it supports innovation and out-of-the-box thinking, but the expectation is compliance when it comes to practice. So much so that entire departments are created based on this principle. It would be good to define compliance while we are at it. Compliance is following along with what others are doing regardless of personal beliefs. When a company can shut off one’s livelihood (being a primary source of one’s income), it can act as an authority figure enforcing written rules. If an employee deems a rule to be inequitable, they have no choice but to comply or be punished by losing their job. Organizations can also enforce unwritten rules and call it “culture.” If a person decides to independently think and not follow the norms of the organization, they are simply not a “culture fit.”
The Darkside of Community
Every person yearns for a sense of belonging. It feels like organizations seem to manipulate this need in the form of pressure to conform to the ideals of those in authority. We conform because we care what other people think about us. Not doing and being as everyone else comes with the fear of being ostracized by the group. This is the shadow side of community we never really talk about.
I was listening to a book about community. According to the author, I couldn’t get through the entire book because I didn’t agree with the exclusivity needed to create a community. To create a community, we must also define who cannot be in the community. With contemplation around this idea, any community has become a form of separation masquerading as unity. An apartment community is gated off so that people who are not part of the community are not allowed in. People find community in their political affiliations. To say that you are part of one party finds like-minded people but excludes people with different thoughts. The same thing can be said about “the community” that countless companies try cultivating for their employees. If you are a part of this organization, you must follow these rules and act a certain way to belong.
Abuse of Power
Unquestioned obedience eventually leads to an abuse of power. We’ve seen it in just about every aspect of life. Just take a look at any rebellion that has happened in our history. The cause of having to revolt in such a way was too many years of power going unquestioned. It was the German citizens who saw their Jewish brothers and sisters as equals but were too afraid to say or do anything for fear of disapproval from “their own kind.”
It’s been proven that people will knowingly say things they don’t believe in the face of authority if it means they won’t be punished for it. It’s easy for authority to increasingly oppress a person if they know that their deeds go unquestioned. Ask some children about their parents. This imbalance in power only causes harm to the people who suffer through it. Sure, you can quit, but some people don’t feel like they are fortunate to have that option. Thus unquestioned loyalty to authority can be dehumanizing.
Diversity of Thought
Rules are put in place for efficiency. However, it’s not very common for people to consider the cost. Unquestioned obedience can cause an abuse of power. If gone unchecked for too long, people will not have the courage to stand up against something that is unjust. Rules help keep the peace, but the rules should only be created so that one knows when they need to be broken. People must be allowed to use their critical thinking and belief systems to challenge norms that don’t serve them.
Instead of adding rules, organizations must cultivate an environment where people are free to belong and not belong simultaneously. Group members can follow the norms set out in the name of collaboration, but individuals should also be empowered to question the status quo. This is what is meant by having diversity within a company. Diversity of skin color, age, or sex means very little if people are expected to be the same mentally when a prospective employee receives the job. What’s the point of having diverse experiences if they cannot be expressed? Managers, teachers, and parents alike shouldn’t feel threatened when someone questions their opinions. If anything, it should serve as an opportunity to expand upon it.
Questions and Responses
Why do people follow rules without questioning them?
People follow rules, both written and unwritten, due to societal conditioning. From a young age, we are taught to comply with rules set by authority figures—parents, teachers, employers—often without questioning their purpose. Fear of punishment or social ostracization plays a key role in why many continue to follow rules, even if they don’t agree with them.
What is the difference between written and unwritten rules?
Written rules are formally documented and enforced by clear consequences, such as laws or company policies. Unwritten rules, on the other hand, are societal norms or organizational “cultures” that people are expected to follow to fit in. Violating these can lead to social exclusion or being labeled as a “bad culture fit” in organizations.
How does the pressure to conform impact individuals in a community?
The pressure to conform in a community, workplace, or social group can lead individuals to suppress their unique thoughts and actions to avoid being ostracized. While the desire for belonging is natural, it can also create environments where people feel compelled to comply with group norms at the expense of their authenticity, leading to a lack of diversity in thought.
How can unquestioned obedience lead to an abuse of power?
Unquestioned obedience gives authority figures unchecked power, often leading to exploitation or oppression. History is full of examples where people, out of fear or pressure to conform, allowed harmful actions to continue. When authority goes unquestioned for too long, it can result in abuse, as seen in dictatorships, toxic workplaces, or even family dynamics.
Why is diversity of thought important in organizations?
Diversity of thought is crucial because it allows individuals to challenge existing norms and bring new perspectives. It goes beyond surface-level diversity—such as race, gender, or age—and focuses on ensuring that employees feel free to express different opinions and ideas. This fosters innovation, prevents groupthink, and encourages critical thinking, ultimately leading to better decision-making.
What is the dark side of community building?
The dark side of community building is that it often involves exclusion. To create a sense of belonging, communities define who is in and who is out. This can lead to division, as groups may prioritize conformity over inclusivity. In organizations, this is reflected in “company culture,” where those who don’t fit the mold are excluded or marginalized.