Chapter 1: Breaking Corporate Norms

For the past thirty years, I have thrived as a juggler, actor, comedian, and variety performer. My journey began with street performances for donations, allowing me to travel across the US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and China.

During one of these street festivals, a Vice President of Marketing from General Electric spotted me and invited me to perform at a corporate event in Tampa, Florida.

One moment I was rolling coins from my donation hat to pay rent, and the next, I was boarding a plane to Florida, enjoying a luxurious stay at a high-end resort complete with a private spa and patio overlooking the pool. The stark contrast from the streets to this lavish setting was astonishing. I suddenly had a full production team at my service, ready to assist with lighting, sound, and staging to enhance my performance.

While excited, I felt a wave of nerves wash over me as I worried about meeting the expectations of the corporate executive and adapting to such a formal event. My street performances thrived on audience engagement and spontaneity, while corporate events typically adhered to strict protocols and hierarchies.

The night before my performance was filled with anxiety as I contemplated how to adjust my street show for an audience of five hundred GE executives from around the globe. I envisioned what would be acceptable and began to modify my usual act based on my assumptions about their preferences.

When the big day arrived, I made my way to the ballroom, where preparations were already in full swing. As I watched the well-dressed, confident attendees enter, I mentally rehearsed my adapted performance.

However, the moment I stepped on stage, all my careful planning evaporated. Instead, I instinctively leaned into what had always made me successful as an entertainer: breaking the rules.

My street shows often included unconventional elements, such as rummaging through audience members' bags, sampling their food, or coaxing shy volunteers onto the stage. I engaged in antics that could have led to serious consequences in another context, yet in my performances, they were met with laughter and applause. I had become a master of misbehavior.

What the GE executive recognized in my street performance was the joy and liberation that comes from challenging societal norms. My show was a celebration of defiance against the mundane.

In that moment, I abandoned my carefully crafted plan and delivered the performance that resonated with audiences everywhere. The production team scrambled to adapt as my act spilled into the entire room, and I discovered just how eager these refined guests were for a taste of rule-breaking.

Upon returning home, I began receiving requests from other corporate executives and meeting planners who witnessed my performance.

Since then, I've entertained at events for prominent figures like the Clintons, the Canadian Prime Minister, and Bill Gates, among others. My performances have graced platforms such as Good Morning America and America’s Funniest People, and I continue to perform on the streets. This unique perspective allows me to see both the simplicity of street life and the extravagance of corporate events.

Through my journey, I've become an unintentional sociologist, observing the hidden rules that govern our lives.

Chapter 2: Recognizing Hidden Constraints

No matter our status, we are all bound by a set of unspoken rules that limit our true potential. These limitations rob us of the joy, clarity, and purpose inherent to our existence.

In my work with diverse individuals, I have witnessed the enduring human spirit, which persists beneath layers of societal expectations. We are inherently good and possess untapped potential for greatness. More often than we admit, we yearn for growth, creativity, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the world. Yet, many of us struggle against invisible barriers that hinder our progress.

In my book, 7 Rules You Were Born to Break, I explore these everyday constraints that prevent us from achieving our aspirations.

True dreams involve heartfelt contributions to the world, unlike superficial fantasies of wealth or perfection. Deep down, we know we should be experimenting, engaging, and taking risks to pursue our true aspirations.

Intelligent Misbehavior is essential for reclaiming our potential and making meaningful contributions to society.

I define Intelligent Misbehavior as the courage to question the hidden societal rules that stifle both individual and organizational growth. It also encompasses breaking our self-imposed limitations and assumptions that we unknowingly carry with us.

My mission is to keep my own spirit vibrant while empowering others to awaken theirs.

To gain clarity about the rules holding you back, consider this four-step exercise:

Step 1: Write down the following incomplete sentences, one at a time, allowing your thoughts to flow freely without editing:

• I should . . .
• I can’t . . .
• I have to . . .
• I’m not the kind of person who . . .

Step 2: Share your most outrageous statement from Step 1 with someone who cares about you.

Step 3: Have a good laugh about it.

Step 4: Treat yourself to coffee.

To express ourselves authentically and make our greatest contributions, we must consciously choose to misbehave. Everything I share here aims to inspire that choice.

Are you ready to break some rules?