Is Bending the Rules Good for Your Career

Is Bending the Rules Good for Your Career By, Nicole Crimaldi A few weeks ago, I started receiving  a stream of Facebook messages and wall posts  congratulating me on my quote in Redbook magazine.         Huh?!   What quote?! Turns out it was true.   I laughed out loud when I finally read it myself!   It was in a section of July 2009s Redbook about breaking the rules.   Ironically,    my quote said: After a long week of work, I occasionally use a Friday to bend my companys conservative dress code a little bit by wearing open-toed shoes or a leopard-print top! â€" Nicole Crimaldi, 25, Chicago A  few things ran through my head.   1.   Who knew that so many girls my age read Redbook! 2. When the heck did I give a journalist this quote?! 3. How ironic is it that I got quoted about breaking dress code when I write a career blog?! 4.   Is  bending the rules good or bad for your career? Of course the answer to the last  question is quite subjective, and depends on what industry you are in and who you are talking to.   Either way, Id like to believe that a little bending of the rules  makes you more creative, and possibly more valuable to those around you at work. Regardless of your industry, you are serving internal and external  clients each day.   By relying solely on policy, protocol and rules you may come off a bit stiff, lackadaisical and perhaps even lazy.   Getting too comfortable with the rules can lead to complacency in your job  and not pushing yourself to the next level of your career. Getting out of your comfort zone (and perhaps getting those around you out of THEIR comfort zones) might open new doors.   Dont be afraid to ask a question to someone you dont usually talk to in your organization  or to  get more information for a project.   Dont be afraid to get creative  with a simple customer service request in order to make some ones day.   Dont be afraid to ask why your manager wants you to do something if you dont understand why or feel it is unethical. People  may actually  come to respect you for your ability to push the status quo for the benefit of your company, co-workers  and clients.   Now of course, bending the dress code is a whole different story but- in my opinion- my clients and co-workers see my passion, energy  and personality through the way I express myself in my business wardrobe.   Passion and enthusiasm are contagious, so why not do a little bending of the rules to cheer up those around you and get ahead in your career?