The Rogue Advantage: Why Supervisors Reward Rule Breakers (And When They Stop)

[This Week in Leadership Research #22] The Rogue Advantage: Why Supervisors Reward Rule Breakers (And When They Stop) In episode 22 of 'This Week in Leadership Research,' we explore a groundbreaking study titled 'A Bounded Preference for Rule Breakers,' published in the Academy of Management Discoveries in 2025. Contrary to the common belief that rule breakers are punished, this research reveals that supervisors often reward moderate rule breaking, interpreting it as a sign of commitment. Using data from professional ice hockey and controlled experiments, the study shows that supervisors tend to promote rule breakers up to a tipping point, after which extreme rule breaking is seen as a liability. The discussion dives into the psychological mechanisms behind these decisions and provides actionable principles for preventing organizational corruption. 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Challenging Assumptions: Do Rule Breakers Get Punished? 02:52 Research Context: National Hockey League 05:10 Key Findings: Rewarding Rule Breakers 08:58 Experimental Evidence: Dice Rolling Game 12:44 Implications for Managers 15:21 Actionable Principles DWakeman, S. W., Yang, P., & Moore, C. (2025). A (bounded) preference for rule breakers. Academy of Management Discoveries, 11(2), 180-203. https://doi.org/10.5465/amd.2022.0280 #leadershipmatters #rulebreaking #norm #OrganizationalNorm 🧠Subscribe:    / @leadersdecisionmakinglab   📧 Email: [email protected]