How to Break the Rules (Strategically) and Get Ahead at Work

In this episode of the Trill MBA Show, Felicia dives into Rule #2 from Dr. Jeffrey Pfeffer’s book Seven Rules of Power: Break the Rules (but do it strategically).

If you’ve been working twice as hard, following all the rules, and still feel stuck, it’s time to shake things up. The reality? Power doesn’t reward compliance, it rewards confidence. The people who rise in their careers don’t just follow the book; they strategically bend and break the rules to their advantage.

Felicia shares real-world examples, including how one woman finessed her way into a VIP event at Sundance by taking bold action and how breaking the “no direct access” rule with senior leadership can make you visible and indispensable.

She also gives actionable steps on how to break unspoken workplace rules, from challenging the idea that junior employees should stay silent in meetings to directly connecting with high-level decision-makers.